:^    THE     ^ 
O  LIBKARIES  ^ 


CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY: 


on, 


AN  HISTORICAL  SKETCH 


THE  OLD  PRESBYTERIAN  CONGREGATIONS 


CUMBERLAND     AND     FRANKLIN     COUNTIES 
IN     PENNSYLVANIA. 


BY   THE 

REV.    ALFRED    NEVIN, 

OF  THE   PRESE7TERY  OF  CARLISLE. 


"Walk  about  ZioD,  and  go  round  about  her:  tell  the  towers  thereof 
Mark  ye  well  her  bulwarks,  consider  her  palaces,  that  ye  may  tell 
it  to  the  generation  following."— Ps,  xlviii.  12  13. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

JOSEPH     M.     AV  I  L  S  0  N, 

NO.    228    CHESTNUT    STREET. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1852, 

BY    JOSEPH    M.    WILSON, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Eastern  District  of 
Pennsylvania. 


C.    SHERMAX,    PRINTER, 

19  St.  James  Street. 


THIS    VOLUME    IS    DEDICATED 


PRESBYTERIAN     HISTORICAL     SOCIETY. 


GOIB^ 


P  K  E  F  A  C  E. 


The  early  history  of  the  old  Presbyterian  Churches  of 
Cumberland  Valley  is  fast  growing  dim.  Many  of  those 
in  whose  memories  interesting  facts  and  incidents  were 
treasured,  arc  now  dead ;  and  others,  to  whom  they  were 
intrusted  by  tradition,  are  rapidly  passing  away. 

That  it  is  desirable  to  have  embodied  in  an  accessible 
form,  the  recollections  and  records  connected  with  the 
origin  and  progress  of  these  venerable  congregations,  none, 
it  is  believed,  will  question,  who  appreciate  the  ties  which 
bind  them  to  the  past,  or  the  duty  which  they  owe  to  the 
future.  These  churches,  are  almost  the  only  relics  of  an- 
tiquity that  are  to  be  met  v/ith  in  our  new  country,  and 
for  this  reason,  to  say  nothing  of  their  deep  religious 
associations  besides,  an  cflFort  should  be  made  to  save 
them  from  oblivion. 

From  the  Presbyterial  Records  it  is  evident,  that  the 

A* 


vi  PREFACE. 

importance  of  such  a  measure  was  felt  at  au  early  day. 
In  1792;  each  minister  was  ordered  to  prepare  a  history 
of  his  own  church ;  and  in  1801,  Dr.  Cooper  was  appoint- 
ed to  draw  up  a  short  history  of  the  Presbytery  of  Car- 
lisle. That  historical  account,  which  was  prepared  ac- 
cording to  injunction,  is  not  now  to  be  found.  Neither  is 
the  book  which  contains  the  proceedings  of  Presbytery, 
from  the  year  1750  to  1759.  It  was  borrowed,  we  have 
been  told,  by  a  gentleman  in  Virginia,  and,  after  his  death, 
was  sought  for  in  vain. 

When,  therefore,  in  connexion  with  these  facts,  it  is 
remembered  that  many  of  the  unwritten  reminiscences, 
from  which  an  ecclesiastical  history  of  this  valley  must  be 
compiled,  are  now  floating  in  minds  which  age  must  soon 
enfeeble  or  death  remove  out  of  the  body,  it  cannot  but 
be  acknowledged,  that  the  work  which  we  have  undertaken, 
however  imperfectly  accomplished,  has  not,  at  least,  been 
prematurely  attempted. 

It  is  unnecessary,  perhaps,  with  the  title  of  the  volume 
in  view,  to  state,  that  it  was  not  our  purpose  to  prepare  a 
history  of  the  Preslytery  to  which  the  congregations  re- 
ferred to,  belong.  This  would  have  been  a  pleasing  task. 
For  in  addition  to  the  facts  that  this  Presbytery,  which  is 
one  of  the  oldest  in  the  country,  has  several  times  changed 
its  name  and  territorial  limits,  and  has  always  occupied  a 
high  position,  many  of  the  churches  which  it  now  includesj 
though  not  lying  within  the  boundaries  which  we  have 


PREFACE.  Vll 

affixed  to  our  labour,  possess  as  much  interest,  are  invested 
with  as  much  importance,  and  deserve  as  extended  a  no- 
tice, as  those  whose  rise  and  development  we  have 
sketched.  "VVe  thought  it  best,  however,  to  confine  our 
effort  principally  to  a  more  limited  field ;  and  the  re- 
collection of  this,  it  is  hoped,  will  prevent  any  expectation 
from  our  present  effort,  beyond  what  it  legitimately  pro- 
mises. 

We  have,  indeed,  given,  in  a  supplemental  form,  a  very 
brief  sketch  of  other  congregations  pertaining  to  the  Pres- 
bytery, besides  those  which  are  embraced  by  the  limits  of 
Cumberland  and  Franklin  Counties ;  but  this  was  done  at 
the  suggestion  of  an  esteemed  and  judicious  friend,  after 
the  announcement  of  our  plan  rendered  any  material  alte- 
ration of  it  impracticable ;  and  will  not,  it  is  trusted, 
either  be  regarded  as  inconsistent  with  our  primary  intent, 
or  lead  to  any  misapprehension  of  it. 

We  are  free  to  say,  that  our  great  object  in  the  enter- 
prise, has  been  the  humble,  but  grateful  one,  of  placing 
within  the  reach  of  those  to  whom  veneration  for  departed 
ancestry,  or  long  association,  or  present  residence,  has 
made  Cumberland  Valley  a  region  of  peculiar  interest, 
such  a  record  of  its  religious  history  as  we  supposed  it 
would  gratify  them  to  read,  as  well  as  to  hand  down  to 
their  children.  Many  such  there  are,  still  worshipping 
where  their  fathers  did,  and  meditating,  at  times,  with 
deep  solemnity  over  their  last  resting-place.     Many  more, 


Viii  PREFACE. 

toO;  are  dwellers  in  the  distant  West,  where,  surrounded 
with  new  scenes,  yet  bound  to  old  ones  by  ties  that  never 
can  be  broken,  often  with  tender  interest 

"  Fond  memory  brings  the  light 
Of  other  days  around"  them. 

To  these,  we  felt  assured  we  could  not  render  a  more 
acceptable  service,  than  furnishing  them  with  a  remem- 
brancer of  the  old  churches  with  which  their  earliest  re- 
collections are  blended,  and  of  the  old  graveyards  in  which 
many  of  their  dearest  friends  are  buried. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  several  sketches,  great  regard 
has  been  had  to  chronological  accuracy,  and,  as  we  sup- 
pose, with  about  as  much  success  as  is  attainable.  But 
as  the  organizations  of  the  old  congregations  were  so 
nearly  synchronous,  we  have  not  deemed  it  important  to 
insert  them  in  the  order  of  time.  On  the  Records  of  the 
Presbytery,  kindly  placed  in  our  hands  by  the  Stated 
Clerk,  we  have,  of  course,  mainly  relied  for  information. 
Several  gentlemen  also,  however,  among  whom  may  be 
mentioned  Dr.  Moodey,  Dr.  M'Ginley,  Hon.  Geo.  Cham- 
bers, Judge  Clendenin,  Dr.  J.  K.  Davidson,  John  Cox, 
and  L.  H.  Williams,  Esqrs.,  have,  by  important  data 
which  they  have  supplied,  brought  us  under  obligations 
which  we  gratefully  acknowledge.  We  have,  too,  been 
materially  aided  by  Mr.  I.  D.  Ptupp's  History  of  Cumber- 
land and  Franklin  Counties.  Our  indebtedness  to  other 
sources,  is  noticed  in  the  proper  place. 


PREFACE.  IX 

We  send  the  volume  forth,  confident  that  it  is  not,  in 
many  respects,  what  it  should  be,  yet  hoping  that  it  may 
in  some  measure  fulfil  its  design.  Wc  do  so,  likewise, 
with  the  assurance,  that  those  who  can  form  any  idea  of 
the  difficulty  of  its  preparation,  growing  out  of  lost  and 
faded  records,  and  the  sameness  of  material  to  be  pre- 
sented, and  the  vagueness  of  traditions  to  be  consulted, 
will  regard  it  with  much  more  readiness  to  appreciate  any 
merit  it  may  have,  than  to  condemn  the  defects  from 
which  it  docs  not  claim  to  be  fit^e. 

Alfred  Nevin. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    L 

INTRODUCTORY. 

Reasons  of  the  rapid  Settlement  of  Pennsylvania — Extract  from 
Dr.  Williamson's  "  History  of  North  Carolina" — Extract  from 
Dr.  Davidson's  "  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Ken- 
tucky"— The  Huguenots  who  settled  in  the  Province  of  Penn- 
sylvania— The  Welsh — The  Germans — The  English  Puri- 
tans from  New  England — The  Presbyterian  Church  formed 
out  of  these  various  Materials  —  The  First  Presbyterian 
Church  that  was  organized  and  furnished  with  a  place  of 
worship  in  the  American  Colonies — The  Constitution  of  a 
Synod  in  1716 — Extent  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle  in 
a  Western  direction  until  1732 — Presbytery  of  Donegal  or- 
ganized in  that  year — Lancaster  County  originally  embraced 
all  the  Territory  west  of  the  Susquehanna — First  Settlement 
of  the  White  Man  across  the  "  Long,  Crooked  River" — The 
Purchase  of  the  Lands  west  of  the  Susquehanna  by  the  Pro- 
prietary of  Pennsylvania — The  Establishment  of  Cumber- 
land and  Franklin  Counties — Applications  by  the  Settlers  to 
Presbytery  to  have  tlie  Gospel  preached  among  them,  .  .1.1 


Xll  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  11. 

MIDDLE     SPRING     CHURCH. 

Origin  of  the  Name — Organization  of  the  Congregation — Names 
of  the  First  Elders — Extracts  from  the  Session-Book — Rev. 
Mr.  Blair  the  First  Pastor — Rev.  Mr.  Calls  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Clarke  had  previously  been  supplies — History  of  the  Con- 
gregation not  known  from  1750  to  1759 — Rev.  Robert  Cooper 
becomes  Pastor,  and  continues  so  until  1797 — Dr.  Moodey's 
Letter  concerning  Dr.  Cooper — Inscription  on  Dr.  Cooper's 
Tomb — Rev.  John  Moodey  is  Dr.  Cooper's  Successor — Notice 
of  the  Church — The  first  Log  Building  erected  for  Worship 
— The  second  Log  Building — Epitaph  of  John  Reynolds, 
Esq. — Epitaph  of  Capt.  Samuel  Kearsley — Erection  of  the 
Old  Stone  Church — Poem  written  on  a  Visit  to  it — Congrega- 
tion not  now  as  large  as  formerly — Reasons  of  the  Change,       24 


CHAPTER  III. 

BIG     SPRING    CHURCH. 

Originally  called  Hopewell — Rev.  Thomas  Craighead,  First 
Pastor — Difficulty  in  regard  to  the  erection  of  a  Meeting- 
House — Mr.  Craighead's  Death — Mr.  James  Lyon  supplied 
the  Pulpit  for  some  months — Big  Spring  connected  with 
Rocky  Spring  and  Middle  Spring — Rev.  George  Duffield. 
called,  to  be  Pastor  of  the  Church — Rev.  William  Linn  Mr. 
DuflSeld's  Successor — Mr.  Linn  resigned  his  Charge  in  1784, 
and  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Wilson — Copy  of  the 
Call  given  to  Mr.  Wilson — Rev.  Joshua  Williams  chosen 
Pastor  in  1801 — Extracts  from  Two  Obituaries  of  Dr.  Wil- 
liams— Rev.  Robert  M"Cachren  Dr.  Williams's  Successor — 
Names  of  Elders — The  First  Church  at  Big  Spring — The 
present  Edifice — The  GraA-oyard,  .  .  .  .  .48 


CONTENT?.  XUl 


CIIAPTKR   IV. 

CHURCH  AT  SILVEHS"  SPRING. 

Name  by  which  it  was  first  known — Origin  of  the  present 
Name — Gospel  first  preached  in  this  Church  by  Rev.  Alex- 
ander Craighead  in  1734 — Rev.  Samuel  Thompson  installed 
Pastor  in  1739 — Extract  from  Presbyterial  Records  concern- 
ing Mr.  Thompson — Mr.  Thompson  resigned  his  pastoral  re- 
lation in  1745 — Suggestions  in  relation  to  the  duty  of  Con- 
gregations to  make  provision  for  superannuated  Pastors — 
Rev.  Samuel  Caven  called  to  Lower  Pennsborough  in  1745 
— After  Mr.  Caven's  Death  the  Rev.  John  Steel  became  his 
Successor — Copy  of  the  Call  given  to  Mr.  Steel — Rev.  Samuel 
Waugh  Pastor  of  East  Pennsborough  and  Monaghan  in  1782 
— Sketch  of  his  Character — Rev.  John  Hayes  next  called  to 
the  Pastorate  of  the  Church — Rev.  James  Williamson — Rev. 
Geo.  Morris — Present  Church  Edifice — The  Building  which 
preceded  it — Epitaphs — Names  of  the  present  Members  of 
Session, 63 


CHAPTER  V. 

CHURCH     IN    MERCERSBURG. 

Period  I.  Introduction — Settlement  of  the  Country — Church 
organized — Location  of  the  Church  Edifice — Religious  Con- 
troversy— Origin  of  Lower  West  Conococheague  Church — 
Rev.  John  Steel — Settlement  broken  up  and  the  Congrega- 
tion dispersed  —  Mr.  Steel's  removal  —  The  Church  reor- 
ganized— Supplies — The  Country  again  disturbed — Attach- 
ment to  the  Church — The  Session, 77 

Period  IL  Rev.  Dr.  King  becomes  Pastor — Obedience  to  the 
Civil  Magistrate — The  War  of  Independence — The  part  that 
Dr.  King  takes  in  it — Becomes  Chaplain — Address  at  a  Meeting 


XIV  CONTENTS. 

of  the  Citizens  convened  to  deliberate  on  the  state  of  Pubhc 
Aflairs — Extract  of  a  Sermon  on  the  Death  of  General  Mont- 
gomery— Address  to  Capt.  Huston's  Company — Extract  of  a 
Sermon — The  Church  bears  its  part  in  the  Struggle — The 
Session — Mercersburg  laid  out — Church  Edifice  erected  in 
Town — The  Session — Dr.  King  resigns  his  Charge — Result 
of  Labours — His  Conversion,  Life,  Character,  and  Death,      .     83 

Period  HI,  Rev.  Dr.  Elliott  becomes  Pastor — The  Church  at 
St.  Thomas — The  Session — The  Sabbath  School — The  Social 
Prayer  Meeting — New  Church  Edifice — The  Church's  pros- 
perous state — A  Change,  and  the  causes  thereof — The 
Church  at  Loudon — A  Change  in  the  Times — Deaths — The 
Session — The  Female  Domestic  Missionary  Society — Revival 
of  Religion — Dr.  Elliott  resigns  his  Charge — Results  of  La- 
bour,    .         .         .         .  .  .         .         .         .         .         .   IIG 

Period  IV,  The  Rev.  Thomas  Creigh  becomes  Pastor — Re- 
vival of  Religion — The  Female  Sewing  Society — The  Ses- 
sion— Revival  of  Religion — The  Church  Edifice  in  Town, 
the  Session,  the  Lecture-Room — Religious  Controversy — The 
Pastor's  Twentieth  Anniversary  Sermon — Changes  and  Re- 
sults— Concluding  Remarks,  ......   125 


CHAPTER  VL 

WELSH    RUN     CHURCH. 

Its  Original  Name — When  and  why  organized — At  an  early 
period  was  supplied  by  a  Rev.  Mr.  Dunlap — Church  was 
burnt  by  the  Indians — Congregation  at  one  time  very  nume- 
rous— Church  was  sometimes  called  "  Tent  Meeting-House" 
—Rev.  Thos.  McPherrin  Pastor  from  1774  until  1802— Rev. 
Robert  Kennedy  Pastor  subsequently — Congregation  now 
greatly  diminished,        .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .135 


CONTENTS.  XV 

CIIArTEK  VII. 

ClIURCII     AT    CIIAMBERSBURG. 

Sctilpniciit  i>f  Col.  Benjamin  Clinnibcrs  at  "The  Falling  Spring" 
— The  Families  that  snbsequently  settled  there  nearly  all 
Presbyterians — Appropriation  of  ground  by  Col.  Chambers 
for  Church  purposes — The  first  Log  Building — The  second 
Log  Building — Deed  of  Conveyance  for  the  Grounds  dedi- 
cated to  the  Use  of  the  Congregation — Congregation  Incor- 
porated in  1787 — Present  Church  Edifice  erected  in  1803 — 
Congregation,  after  its  organization,  supplied  for  a  time  by 
Presbytery — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Caven  and  Thompson  its 
First  Pastors — Rev.  James  Lang  called  to  the  Pastorate  in 
1767 — Union  between  Congregations  of  East  Conococheague 
and  Falling  Spring  dissolved — Rev.  William  Speer  becomes 
Pastor  of  Falling  Spring — Mr.  Speer  resigned  his  Charge  in 
1797— Rev.  David  Denny  called  in  1800— Notice  of  Mr. 
Denny — Mr.  Denny  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  William  Adam 
in  1839 — Rev.  Daniel  McKinley,  Mr.  Adam's  Successor — 
Rev.  Joseph  Clarke  the  Present  Pastor — •The  Church  at 
Fayctteville — The  Graveyard, 138 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

CHURCU     AT     SHIP  PENS  B  URG. 

The  Settlement  of  the  Place — Its  Condition  a  little  more  than 
a  Century  ago — The  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  one 
of  the  First  Churches  organized  in  the  Town — Rev.  Mr. 
Walker  its  Pastor — After  him  the  Rev.  Mr.  Strong — Rev. 
Henry  R.  Wilson  took  charge  of  the  Congregation  in  1823 — 
Dr.  Wilson  resigned  his  Pastoral  relation  in  1839 — Obituary 
of  Dr.  Wilson — Rev.  James  Harper  became  Dr.  Wilson's 
Successor  in  1840 — Names  of  Elders  of  the  Congregation — 
The  Title  to  the  Church  brought  into  Litigation — A  New 
Church  erected  by  the  Presbyterian  Congregation — Descrip- 
tion of  it  and  of  the  Gravevard, 154 


XVI  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEll  IX. 

GREENCASTLE     CHURCH, 

Division  of  the  Congregation  of  the  Conococheagne  Settlement 
— East  Conococheagne  and  Falling  Spring  united — Rev.  Mr. 
Caven  Pastor  of  the  Charge — Mr.  Caven  admonished  by 
Presbytery — Mr.  Caven  succeeded  by  the  Rev,  John  Steel — 
The  Rev,  James  Lang  Pastor  of  East  Conococheagne  and 
Falling  Spring  in  1769 — Regret  expressed  for  the  Neglect  of 
Sessions  to  keep  Records — Notice  of  Presbytery's  Failure  to 
preserve  Obituaries  of  Deceased  Members — Union  betvi^een 
East  Conococheagne  and  Falling  Spring  Congregations  dis- 
solved, and  Rev,  Mr,  Lang  intrusted  vv^itli  sole  Charge  of  the 
Former — Mr,  Lang's  Suspension  from  the  Ministry — Rev. 
Robert  Kennedy  called  to  the  Pastorate  of  East  and  Lower 
West  Conococheague — Sketch  of  the  History  and  Character 
of  Mr.  Kennedy — Mr.  Kennedy  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
James  Buchanan — Notice  of  Mr.  Buchanan — Rev.  J.  T. 
Marshall  Davie  Pastor  of  Greencastle  and  Hagerstown  iu 
1840 — Rev,  T.  V.  Moore  called  to  Pastorate  of  the  Churches 
at  Greencastle  and  Waynesboro' — Rev.  W.  M.  Paxton  settled 
over  Congregation  of  Greencastle — Rev.  Mr.  Emerson  the 
present  Pastor — Names  of  Ruling  Elders  Fifty  Years  ago, 
and  at  Present — Description  of  the  "  Old  Red  Meeting- 
House"' — Description  of  the  present  Church  Edifice,     .         .162 


CHAPTEll   X. 


ROCKY     SPRING    CHURCH. 


Its  Location — A  Description  of  it — The  Original  Church  with 
the  addition  made  to  it — The  "  Study  House" — Mr.  Craig- 
head the  first  Pastor — A  Company  raised  by  him  to  fight 
the  Battles  of  the  Country — Anecdote  of  an  old  Scotch  Wo- 


CONTENTS.  XVll 

man  in  tlic  Congregation — Mr.  Craighead's  Death  in  1700 — 
The  Graveyard — Mr.  Craighead's  Tomb — Epitaphs — State 
of  the  Country  as  infested  by  Indians — Battle  between  Capt. 
Culbertson's  Company  and  a  Party  of  Indians — Account  of 
Major  James  McCalmont — Other  Epitaphs — Names  of  many 
who  are  buried  in  the  Graveyard — Mr.  Blair  preached  first 
at  Rocky  Spring — Names  of  the  Persons  to  whom  the  War- 
rant of  the  Land  on  which  the  Old  Church  was  built  was 
Granted — Sketch  of  Mr.  Craigliead's  History — Anecdote  of 
him  in  the  Battle-field — Dr.  Herron  becomes  Pastor  of  tlie 
Congregation  in  1800 — Dr.  Herron's  Labours — Dr.  Herron 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  John  M'Knight,  D.D. — Dr.  MKnight's 
Faithful  and  Useful  Life  terminated  in  1823 — His  Successor 
was  his  Son — The  Rev.  Dr.  John  M'Knight — The  Rev.  A. 
K.  Nelson,  Pastor  at  present — The  Church  once  numerously 
but  now  sparsely  attended — Patriotism  a  predominant  fea- 
ture in  the  Early  Presbyterians  of  Cumberland  Valley — The 
Congregation  rapidly  diminishing,  .....   176 


OIIAPTEE  XL 

TATU    VALLEY    CHURCHES. 

Settlement  of  Path  Valley — Extract  from  Letter  of  Richard 
Peters  to  Gov.  Hamilton,  in  relation  to  it — Legal  Proceedings 
in  the  Matter — First  Preaching  by  a  Presbyterian  Minister 
in  the  Valley  in  17G7 — Difficulty  among  the  People  about  the 
Situation  of  their  Meeting-House — Rev.  Samuel  Dougall's 
acceptance  and  resignation  of  the  Pastorate  of  "  Upper  Tus- 
carora"  and  "  Path  Valley"'  Congregations — Mr.  Dougall  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  David  Denny — Rev.  Amos  A.  MGinley  be- 
comes Pastor  of  the  Congregations  in  1802.  and  continues  to 
be  so  until  1851 — The  Pastors  of  the  Churches  at  present — 
Statistic  Information  of  the  Congregations  from  the  year 
1802 210 


XVIU  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   XII. 

DICKINSON      CHURCH. 

Necessity  for  its  Organization — First  Notice  of  it  on  Records  of 
Presbytery  for  1810 — Rev.  Henry  R.  Wilson  first  supplied  it 
— Congregation  fully  organized  in  1823 — No  Regular  Wor- 
ship until  1826 — Rev.  MKnight  Williamson  at  that  time  be- 
came its  Pastor,  and  continued  to  be  so  until  1834 — Mr.  Wil- 
liamson was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Charles  P.  Cummins — Rev. 
O.  O.  M'Lean  accepted  the  Pastorate  in  1844 — Names  of 
Elders  of  the  Congregation — Some  Account  of  the  Church 
Edifice,  and  the  present  condition  of  the  Congregation,  .  228 

CHAPTER   XIII. 

CHURCH      AT      CARLISLE. 

Log  Church  erected  on  Conodoguinett  Creek  in  173G — Rev. 
Samuel  Thompson  the  First  Pastor — Messrs.  Craighead  and 
Caven  probably  laboured  there  before  him — Mr.  Thompson 
resigned  his  Charge  in  1748 — Difficulty  with  the  People  of 
Hopewell  about  the  erection  of  their  Meeting-House — Church 
built  in  Carlisle — License  from  Gov.  Hamilton  to  raise  money 
by  Lottery  for  that  purpose — Rev.  Geo.  Dufheld  called  to 
Carlisle  and  Big  Spring  in  1759 — Rev.  John  Steel  called  by 
Carlisle  and  East  Pennsboro'  Congregations  in  1764 — Dr. 
Robert  Davidson  called  to  Carlisle  in  1785 — Rev.  Geo.  Duf- 
field  becomes  Pastor  in  1816— Trial  of  Mr.  Duffield  for  al- 
leged Doctrinal  Errors  in  his  Work  on  Regeneration — Issue 
of  the  Case — Action  of  Synod  in  relation  to  Presbytery's 
final  vote  in  regard  to  Mr.  DufReld  and  his  Book — Second 
Presbyterian  Church  organized— Rev.  Daniel  M'Kinley  call- 
ed to  be  its  Pastor — Mr.  DufReld  resigns  his  Charge — Rev. 
Mr.  Sprole  is  his  Successor — Rev.  Alex.  T.  M"Gill  called  to 
Second  Church — First  Church  stricken  from  tlie  Roll  of  Pres- 


CONTENTS.  XIX 

bytery — ]\Ir.  MCills  Pastornl  relation  dissolved — Rev.  Thos. 
V.  Moore  called  to  Second  Cliureli — Mr.  Moore  resigns  liis 
Charge — Rev.  Mr.  Lillie  is  his  Successor — Rev.  M.  E.  John- 
ston the  present  Pastor, 233 

SUPPLEMENT. 

Paxton  and  Dorry  Churches — Monaghan  and  Petersburg 
Churches — Lower  Marsh  Creek  Church — Church  at  Gettys- 
burg— Churches  at  Bedford  and  Schellsburg — The  Churches 
of  M'Connellsburg,  Green  Hill,  and  Wells'  Valley — Church 
at  Cumberland,  Md. — Hagerstown  Church —Church  at  Sher- 
man's Creek — Mouth  of  Juniata  and  Millerstown — Landis- 
biug,  Bloomficld,  and  Buffalo, 255 

APPENDIX    I. 

Call  from  the  Big  Spring  Congregation  to  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Wilson, 323 

APPENDIX    II. 

Call  from  the  Congregations  of  Carlisle  and  Lower  Pennsboro' 
to  the  Rev.  John  Steel, 327 

APPENDIX    III. 

Some  Account  of  the  Schism  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
this  Country,  a  Century  ago, 329 

APPENDIX   IV. 

History  of  the  Franklin  County  Bible  Society,    ....  337 


CHUliCHES  OY  THE  VALLEY. 


CHAPTER   I. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


Pennsylvania  was  settled  more  rapidly  than  any 
of  the  colonies.  Among  other  causes  of  this,  the 
salubrity  of  its  climate,  and  the  fertility  of  its  soil, 
stand  prominent.  The  speedy  increase  of  population 
within  its  limits,  however,  is  mainly  to  be  attributed 
to  the  religious  toleration  which  was  secured  to  the 
colony,  by  its  charter  and  its  fundamental  laws. 

"The  persecution  of  the  Quakers  and  other  re- 
ligious denominations,  during  the  reign  of  Charles  II., 
and  especially  during  that  of  his  successor,  the  in- 
tolerance exercised  by  the  Papists  over  the  Protestants 
of  Europe,  and  the  overbearing  or  persecuting  spirit, 
on  religious  accounts,  in  many  of  the  other  colonies, 
as  contrasted  with  the  liberality  of  the  Quakers  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  were  disposed  to  open  their  arms 
to  all  denominations  of  professing  Christians  who 
might  be  inclined  to  settle  among  them,  induced  the 

2 


14       CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

flocking  of  men  bj  tens,  by  hundreds,  and  by  thou- 
sands, to  a  place  where  man  pretended  not  to  assume 
the  prerogatives  of  Deity ;  nor  judge,  condemn,  and 
punish  in  his  stead." 

'*  What  sought  they  thus  afar? 

Bright  jewels  of  the  mine  ? 
The  wealth  of  seas,  the  spoils  of  war  ? — 

They  sought  a  faith's  pure  shrine  ! 
Ay,  call  it  holy  ground. 

The  soil  where  first  they  trod ! 
They  have  left  unstained  what  there  they  found — 

Freedom  to  worship  God." 

We  could  not,  perhaps,  throw  more  light  upon  the 
early  settlers  in  Pennsylvania,  than  by  presenting 
the  following  extracts  from  reliable  sources. 

"Referring  to  those  who  migrated  hither  from  the 
North  of  Ireland,  and  who  were  chiefly  Presbyterians, 
Dr.  Williamson,  in  his  '  History  of  North  Carolina,' 
says :  '  The  greater  number  of  those  people  or  their 
ancestors,  had  formerly  removed  from  Scotland. 
But  they  were  treated,  after  a  short  residence  in  Ire- 
land, with  much  ingratitude  and  neglect ;  wherefore 
they  sought  refuge  in  America.  The  Earls  of  Tyrone 
and  Tyrconnel,  in  the  province  of  Ulster,  having 
conspired  against  the  government  in  the  reign  of 
James  the  First,  fled  from  the  kingdom  to  escape 
punishment.  Some  of  their  accomplices  were  arrested, 
condemned,  and  executed,  but  the  two  Earls  were  at- 
tainted by  a  process  of  outlawry,  upoa  which  their 


INTRODUCTION.  15 

vast  estates,  about  five  hundred  thousand  acres  of 
land,  escheated  to  the  Crown.  King  James  resolved, 
if  possible,  to  improve  a  country  that  was  covered  by 
woods,  desolated  by  war,  infested  by  robbers,  or  in- 
habited by  ignorant  adherents  to  the  Romish  Church. 
For  this  purpose  he  divided  the  escheated  lands  into 
small  tracts,  and  those  he  gave  to  adventurers,  who 
were  to  settle  them  within  four  years,  with  a  certain 
number  of  sub-tenants.  According  to  his  advice,  the 
preference  was  given,  in  distributing  the  lands,  to 
adventurers  from  the  west  of  Scotland.  They  were 
Protestants  from  his  own  country.  .  They  w^ere  in- 
dustrious people,  and  the  passage  being  very  short, 
they  might,  with  the  greater  ease,  settle  the  lands 
according  to  their  contracts.  The  establishment  of 
prelacy  in  Scotland,  in  the  year  1637,  and  afterwards 
in  the  year  1661,  among  people  who  had  adopted 
the  more  simple  form  of  Presbyterian  worship,  be- 
came the  additional  cause  of  numerous  emigrations 
from  that  kingdom  to  the  North  of  Ireland. 

" '  The  superior  knowledge,  industry,  and  temperance 
of  the  Scotch  farmers,  in  a  short  time  enabled  them 
to  supplant  the  natives  among  whom  they  lived,  and 
six  of  the  northern  counties,  by  the  end  of  the  seven- 
teenth century,  w^re  chiefly  inhabited  by  the  descen- 
dants of  Scottish  emigrants,  or  the  remains  of  Crom- 
well's army.  That  Protestant  colony  has  been  the 
chief  support  of  government  against  all  attempts  to 
establish  a  Catholic  prince,  by  treason,  insurrection, 
or  murder.     Those  men  have  been  the  steady  and 


16       CnURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

active  supporters  of  the  Hanover  succession.  Their 
faithful  services,  and  uniform  attachment  to  govern- 
ment, had  placed  them  in  the  rank  of  good  and  faith- 
ful subjects,  and  their  unshaken  loyalty  had  entitled 
them  to  confidence  and  public  favour.  But  they 
were  treated  like  aliens  and  strangers,  with  marks  of 
distrust  in  their  civil  capacity ;  and  they  were  de- 
pressed in  their  religious  capacity,  by  the  spirit  of 
intolerance,  because  they  were  not  of  the  established 
Church  of  Ireland.  Men  who  Avere  thus  degraded 
and  vexed  by  incapacities  and  burdens,  migrated  in 
thousands  to  Pennsylvania  ;  a  province  in  which  the 
principles  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  had  their  full 
operation.' 

"'In  England,'  says  Dr.  Davidson,*  'ever  since 
the  memorable  St.  Bartholomew's  day,  all  eyes  had 
been  anxiously  directed  to  the  Transatlantic  settle- 
ments, notwithstanding  they  were  as  yet  a  wilderness ; 
and  while  some  fled  to  Holland,  a  great  number, 
together  with  many  of  the  ejected  ministers,  betook 
themselves  to  New  England,  Pennsylvania,  and  other 
American  plantations.  In  Scotland,  fines,  imprison- 
ments, and  whippings,  were  abundant  from  1662, 
when  the  Act  of  Conformity  was  passed,  until  1688, 
when  the  Act  of  Toleration  gave  relief  under  the 
Presbyterian  Prince  of  Orange.  The  Western  and 
Southern  Counties,  which,  according  to  Hume,  were 
the  most  populous  and  thriving,  were  the  most  ob- 

*  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Kentucky. 


INTRODUCTION.  17 

noxious,  and  the  severity  of  tlie  persecutions  sur- 
passed, in  the  judgment  of  Bishop  Burnet,  the  mei;ci- 
less  rigours  of  the  Duke  of  Alva.  Many  sold  their 
estates  and  crossed  over  to  the  Scots  of  Ulster, 
Avhere,  for  a  time  unrestricted  liberty  was  allowed. 
But  the  arm  of  intolerance  soon  followed  them  to  this 
retreat,  and  the  hunted-down  non-conformists  felt 
that  they  had  no  resource  short  of  absolute  expatria- 
tion. In  order  that  the  fury  of  the  prelates  might 
have  full  sweep,  the  Presbyterians  and  their  ejected 
ministers  were  forbidden  to  fly  into  Scotland  to  avoid 
it.  Of  these  ejected  ministers,  both  in  Scotland  and 
Ireland,  AVodrow  gives  a  catalogue  amounting  to  four 
hundred. 

"' In  consequence  of  the  persecutions  of  1679,1682, 
and  1685,  crowds  of  voluntary  exiles  sought  an 
asylum  in  East  New  Jersey,  Carolina,  and  Maryland. 
The  North  of  Ireland  shared  in  the  general  drain. 
The  arbitrary  measures  pursued  by  James  II.,  together 
with  apprehensions  of  a  general  massacre  by  the  Pa- 
pists, emboldened  as  they  were  by  the  undisguised 
partiality  of  the  king,  caused  such  multitudes  de- 
spairing of  safety,  to  fly  to  foreign  climes,  that  trade 
declined,  and  the  revenue  languished.  Successive 
emigrations  from  the  North  of  Ireland  continued  to 
pour  into  Pennsylvania  in  such  numbers  that  by  the 
year  1705,  there  were  sufficient  Presbyterian  churches 
in  that  province,  in  conjunction  with  those  of  the 
provinces  contiguous,  to  constitute  a  presbytery,  and 
a  few  years  later  (1717),  a  synod." 


18       CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

Prominent  among  these  '' voluntary  exiles,"  were 
thft  Huguenots,  or  French  Protestants.  The  perse- 
cutions to  which  they  were  exposed  during  the  reign 
of  Louis  XIV.,  consummated  by  the  revocation  of  the 
Edict  of  Nantes  in  1685,  drove  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  those  unhappy  people  from  their  native  country. 
Though  the  frontiers  were  vigilantly  guarded,  upwards 
of  five  hundred  thousand  of  them  made  their  escape. 
They  fled  to  Switzerland,  Germany,  Holland,  and 
England,  and  large  numbers  of  them  came  to  this 
country.  It  is  true  that  their  principal  location  here, 
was  in  the  Southern  States,  yet  scattered  emigrants 
fixed  themselves  in  greater  or  less  numbers,  in  the 
provinces  of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland. 

"  The  Welsh,  also,  from  their  numbers,  deserve 
particular  notice.  The  principal  settlement  of  them 
at  an  early  period,  w^as  upon  the  left  bank  of  the 
Schuylkill.  They  there  occupied  three  townships, 
and  in  a  few  years  their  numbers  so  increased  that 
they  ^obtained  three  additional  townships." 

Nor  must  the  German  settlers  in  Pennsylvania,  by 
any  means  be  overlooked  in  this  enumeration.  Their 
emigration  commenced  as  early  as  1682  or  1683,  and 
very  rapidly  increased.  From  1730  to  1740,  about 
sixty-five  vessels,  well  filled  with  Germans,  arrived 
at  Philadelphia,  bringing  with  them  ministers  of  the 
Gospel  and  schoolmasters,  to  instruct  their  children. 
From  1740  to  1755,  upwards  of  one  hundred  vessels 
arrived,  which  were  filled  with  emigrants  of  the  same 
nation,  and  in  some  of  which,  though  small,  there 


INTRODUCTION.  19 

were  between  five  and  six  hundred  passengers.  With 
regard  to  the  Germans  in  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Andrews, 
in  a  letter  dated  October  14,  1730,  says,  "  There  is, 
besides,  in  this  province  a  vast  number  of  Palatines, 
and  they  come  in  still  every  year.  Those  that  have 
come  of  late  are  mostly  Presbyterian,  or  as  they  call 
themselves,  Reformed  ;  the  Palatinate  being  about 
three-fifths  of  that  sort  of  people."  "There  are 
many  Lutherans  and  some  Reformed,  mixed  among 
them.  In  other  parts  of  the  country,  they  are 
chiefly  Reformed,  so  that  I  suppose  the  Presbyterian 
party  are  as  numerous  as  the  Quakers,  or  near  it." 

Such,  then,  were  the  materials,  out  of  which  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Pennsylvania  was  formed. 
The  English  Puritans,  many  of  whom,  with  an  adven- 
turous spirit,  left  their  home  in  New  England,  and  lo- 
cated in  this  province  "were  all  Calvinists,  and  many 
of  them  Presbyterians.  The  Dutch  were  Calvinists 
and  Presbyterians  ;  a  moiety  at  least  of  the  Germans 
were  of  the  same  class.  All  the  French  Protestants 
were  Calvinists  and  Presbyterians ;  and  so,  of  course, 
were  the  Scotch  and  Irish.  Of  these  several  classes, 
the  Dutch  and  Germans  formed  distinct  ecclesiastical 
organizations,  and  subsist  as  such  to  the  present 
time.  In  a  multitude  of  cases,  however,  their  descen- 
dants mingled  with  the  descendants  of  other  Presby- 
terians, and  have  entered  largely  into  the  materials 
of  which  our  church  is  composed." 

"  As  they  merged  their  diversities  of  national  cha- 
racter  into   that  of  American   citizens,"   adds   Dr. 


20       CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

IlodgCj*  "so  the  Scotch,  Irish,  French,  English, 
Dutch,  and  German  Presbyterians  became  united,  in 
thousands  of  instances,  in  the  American  Presbyterian 
Church.  Having  the  same  views  of  civil  government, 
our  population,  so  diversified  as  to  its  origin,  forms  a 
harmonious  civil  society,  and  agreeing  in  opinion  on 
the  government  of  the  church,  the  various  classes 
above  specified  formed  a  religious  society,  in  which 
the  diiference  of  their  origin  was  as  little  regarded  as 
it  was  in  the  state." 

So  far  as  is  now  known,  the  first  Presbyterian 
Church  that  was  organized  and  furnished  with  a  place 
of  worship  in  the  American  Colonies,  w^as  in  the  city 
of  Philadelphia.  This  took  place  about  the  year 
1703.  The  next  year  a  Presbytery  was  formed, 
under  the  title  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia. 

As  early  as  1716,  the  Presbyterian  body  had  so 
far  increased,  that  a  Synod  was  constituted,  com- 
prising four  Presbyteries.  These  Presbyteries  bore 
the  following  titles : — 1.  The  Preshijterij  of  Phila- 
del2)Jiia.  2.  The  Presbytery  of  New  Castle.  3.  The 
Presbytery  of  Snow-Hill.  4.  The  Presbytery  of 
Long  Island. 

"After  the  formation  of  the  Synod,  in  1716,  the 
body  went  on  increasing,  receiving  additions,  not 
only  by  emigrants  from  Scotland  and  Ireland,  but 
also  from  natives  of  England  and  Wales,  who  came 
to   the  Middle   Colonies,   and  were   thrown  by  cir- 

"  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  Part  I.,  p.  69. 


INTRODUCTION.  21 

cumstanccs  in  the  nciglibourliood  of  Presbyterian 
churches,  and  also  from  natives,  or  their  descendants, 
of  France,  IIoHand,  and  Switzerland,  who  preferred 
the  Presbyterian  form  of  worship  or  government. 
To  these  may  be  added  a  number  from  New  England, 
who  were  induced  by  local  considerations,  or  other 
circumstances,  to  connect  themselves  with  the  Pres- 
byterian body."* 

Up  to  the  year  1732,  at  which  time  there  were 
about  fifteen  or  sixteen  Presbyterian  churches  in 
Pennsylvania,  the  "Presbytery  of  New  Castle"  seems 
to  have  covered  all  the  territory  reaching  to  the 
Susquehanna.  In  September  of  that  year  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Donegal  was  organized,  and  to  it  the  juris- 
diction over  this  portion  of  the  State  was  committed. 

As  is  generally  known,  the  limits  of  Lancaster, 
one  of  the  first  three  counties  organized  in  the  pro- 
vince, w^ere  then  so  comprehensive  as  to  embrace  all 
the  territory  west  and  north  of  Chester  County,  be- 
tween the  Schuylkill,  north  of  the  boundary  line  of 
Chester,  and  the  Susquehanna,  and  all  ivest  of  the 
Susquehanna. 

About  a  year  or  two  before  the  erection  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Donegal,  it  was,  that  the  first  visits 
of  the  white  man,  with  a  view  to  residence,  were 
made  to  the  deep,  dark  forests  which  stretched  be- 
yond the  river  just  named,  and  which  abounded  with 

*  Dr.  Millei*'s  article  on  "Pi-es.  Ch.  in  United  States,"  Ency. 
Relig.  Know. 


22  CHURCHES    OF    THE     VALLEY. 

beasts  of  prey,  and,  to  some  extent,  as  the  sequel 
proved,  with  still  more  savage  men. 

In  1730-1,  some  Irish  and  Scotch  adventurers 
crossed  the  Susquehanna  at  Peixtan,  Peshtank,  or 
Paxton,  and  commenced  settlements  in  the  "  Kit- 
tochtinny  Valley,"  or  "North  Valley,"  at  Falling 
Springs,  and  other  places,  till  they  extended  from 
the  "Long,  Crooked  River"  to  the  Maryland  pro- 
vince ;  about  the  year  1736. 

As  the  lands  west  of  the  Susquehanna  were  not 
purchased  by  the  Proprietary  of  Pennsylvania  from 
the  Indians  before  October,  1736,  the  Land  Office 
was  not  open  for  the  sale  of  them  under  existing 
laws,  and  the  settlements,  made  on  such  lands  before 
this  purchase,  were  by  special  license  to  individuals 
from  Samuel  Blunston,  or  other  proprietary  agents, 
and  were  of  limited  number.  After  the  office  was 
open,  however,  for  the  unrestricted  sale  of  lands  on 
the  waters  of  the  Conodoguinett  and  Conococheague, 
at  the  close  of  1736,  the  applications  and  grants  for 
the  district  then  multiplied ;  and  the  influx  of  settlers 
from  Lancaster  County,  Ireland,  and  Scotland,  was 
great,  in  the  succeeding  two  or  three  years,  nearly 
all  of  whom  were  Presbyterians. 

Thus,  by  energy  and  intrepidity,  which  cannot  be 
looked  for  except  among  men  who  have  been  schooled 
by  difficulties  and  accustomed  to  perils,  was  posses- 
sion taken,  by  our  pioneer  ancestry,  of  the  rich  and 
beautiful  valley  which  their  descendants  now  inherit, 
and  which  is  at  present  embraced  within  the  limits  of 


INTRODUCTION.  23 

Cumberland  and  Franklin  Counties,  the  former  of 
Ifhich  -was  established  in  1750,  and  the  latter  in  1784. 
IIow  changed  the  scene  !  How  different  an  aspect 
this  universally-admired  region  now  wears,  from  that 
which  it  presented  a  little  more  than  a  century  ago, 
when  it  stood  in  its  wildness  and  its  gloom ! 

*♦  Look  now  abroad, — another  race  has  filled 

Those  populous  borders  ;  wide  the  wood  recedes, 
And  towns  shoot  up,  and  fertile  realms  are  tilled ; 
The  land  is  full  of  harvests  and  green  meads." 

One  of  the  first  arrangements  made  by  the  primi- 
tive settlers  "west  of  the  Susquehanna,"  was  to  have 
the  Gospel  preached  in  their  midst.  They  had  been, 
most  of  them,  reared  in  the  religious  element.  They 
had  been  taught  to  worship  God.  Nor  was  the 
sacred  lesson  of  duty  to  the  Father  of  Mercies,  which 
they  had  received  in  their  earlier  years,  forgotten  by 
them,  even  amidst  the  hardships  and  perils  of  a  life 
in  the  wilderness. 

"We  find,  accordingly,  very  early  applications,  or 
"supplications"  (as  the  Records  say),  presented  by 
them  to  the  Presbytery,  for  ministers  to  be  sent 
among  them,  to  break  unto  them  the  Bread  of  Life ; 
and  in  the  results  which  soon  followed  the  labours  of 
these  servants  of  God,  we  have  the  bei^innin^s  or 
germs  of  the  congregations  whose  history  is  now 
succinctly  to  be  given. 


24 


CHAPTER    11. 

MIDDLE    SPRING    CHURCn. 

For  some  reason,  probably  from  a  regard  to  con- 
venience, nearly  all  the  old  Presbyterian  churches  of 
Cumberland  A^alley  were  erected  near  a  spring  or 
stream  of  water,  and  from  their  location  they  derived 
their  name.  It  is  difficult  at  this  late  day  to  deter- 
mine precisely  why  it  was  that  Middle  Spring  re- 
ceived its  distinctive  appellation ;  but  it  is  to  be  ac- 
counted for,  as  we  suppose,  by  the  equidistance  of  its 
position  from  Big  Spring  on  the  east,  and  Rocky 
Spring  on  the  west,  with  the  congregations  of  both 
of  which  it  was  originally  connected,  in  the  constitu- 
tion of  a  pastoral  charge. 

Of  the  exact  date  of  the  origin  of  this  congrega- 
tion no  record  has  been  preserved,  neither  can  it  be 
ascertained  from  any  other  source.  Some  light, 
however,  is  thrown  upon  this  point  by  the  following 
statement,  which  is  found  in  the  minutes  of  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Presbytery  of  Donegal,  held  at  -'Pacque, 
8ber  17th,  1738." 

'-'-  Robert  Henry,  a  Commissioner  from  Hopewell, 
complained  that  the  people  of  Falling  Spring  are 


MIDDLE     SPRING     CliUKClI.  25 

about  to  encroach  on  Hopewell  Congregation.  Or- 
dered, that  representatives  from  both  attend  our 
next,  that  Presbytery  may  judge  of  said  complaint." 

As  Big  Spring  was,  at  that  time,  called  Hopewell, 
it  would  appear  from  this  record  that  the  congrega- 
tion of  Middle  Spring,  occupying  an  intermedial  po- 
sition between  it  and  the  church  at  Falling  Spring, 
could  not  then  have  been  organized,  otherwise  it, 
also,  would  be  found  in  the  same  attitude  of  com- 
plaint. The  probability,  then,  is,  from  this  circum- 
stance, and  some  others  which  need  not  be  specified, 
that  this  congregation  came  into  existence  al^out  the 
year  1740.  Antecedently  to  this  date.  Middle  Spring 
was  a  preaching-place,  and  was  frequently  favoured 
with  ministerial  service  by  neighbouring  pastors,  as 
well  as  by  supplies  under  appointment  of  Presbytery  ; 
but  not  until  that  time  was  a  congregation  regularly 
organized. 

We  have  examined  with  care  the  earliest  records 
of  the  congregation  now  to  be  found,  and  probably 
the  first  ever  written,  which  go  back  to  1742  ;  but 
they  consist  almost  exclusively  of  sessional  proceed- 
ings. The  following  is  a  literal  transcript  of  the 
title-page : 

"A  Session-Book,  for  the  use  of  the  Session  of 
the  Congregation  of  Middle  Spring.  Bought  for  the 
above-mentioned  use,  men.  Decembris,  Anno  Dom. 
1745.  2  Chron.  xix.  8,  9  :  Moreover,  in  Jerusalem 
did  Jehoshaphat  set  of  the  Levites,  and  of  the  priests, 
and  of  the  chiefs  of  the  fathers  of  Israel,  for   the 


26       CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

judgment  of  the  Lord,  and  for  controversies  when 
they  returned  to  Jerusalem.  And  he  charged  them, 
saying,  Thus  shall  ye  do  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
faithfully  and  with  a  perfect  heart." 

In  these  Records  we  find  mention  made  of  the  fol- 
lowing names  of  elders  of  the  congregation :  Allen 
Killough,  John  M'Kee,  David  Herron,  John  Rey- 
nolds, ordained  1742.  John  Finley,  William  Ander- 
son, Robert  M'Comb,  ordained  1744.  John  Maclay, 
ordained  1747. 

The  subjoined  extracts  from  this  ancient  book  may 
be  of  interest.  "  1744.  The  Session  condemn  D. 
S.'s  manner  of  expressing  himself,  as  being  very  un- 
tender  to  his  neighbour's  character ;  and  appoint  the 
Moderator  to  occasion  to  warn  their  people  against 
speaking  abroad  slanderous  reports  upon  neighbours, 
either  privately,  or  more  publicly  in  company,  and 
more  especially  when  they  have  no  solid  grounds  for, 
or  knowledge  of  them ; — as  being  very  inconscien- 
tious,  discovering  a  willingness  or  disposition  to  take 
up  an  ill  report,  a  breach  of  the  ninth  commandment, 
in  backbiting  their  neighbour,  wounding  to  religion, 
having  a  tendency  to  fill  the  minds  of  people  with 
jealousies,  and  thereby  exposing  Church  judicatories, 
oftentimes,  to  reflections,  as  tho'  they  covered  sin, 
when  upon  tryal  they  can't  find  guilt." 

^'J.  R.  table'd  a  complaint  against  Catherine  P. 
his  former  servant,  for  some  pieces  of  malconduct. 
The  Session  having  examined  S.  R.  and  R.  L.  find 
from  their  Evidence  that  said  P.  has  behaved  herself 


MIDDLE     SPRING     CIIUKCII.  27 

undutifully  in  resisting  her  Mistress,  and  imprecating 
vengeance  upon  her,  and  ly'd  in  reporting  that  she 
beg'd  a  little  Respite  of  her  Mistress.  The  Session 
Judge  that  C  P.  shall  acknowledge  her  Fault  to  her 
Master  and  Mistress  in  the  oifence  she  has  given 
them,  in  the  Respects  aforesaid,  and  he  rebuk'd  in 
the  Session,  for  the  contradiction  she  has  hereby 
given  to  her  religious  Profession." 

*'1746.  J.  P.  was  cited  to  the  Session  for  taking 
venison  from  an  Indian,  and  giving  him  Meal  and 
Butter  for  it  on  the  Sabbath  Day. 

"  J.  P.  appeared,  and  acknowledged  that  being  at 
home  one  Sabbath  Day,  he  heard  a  gun  go  off  twice 
quickly  after  each  other,  and  said  he  would  go  out 
and  see  who  it  was ;  his  wife  dissuading  him,  he  said 
he  would  go  and  see  if  he  could  hear  the  Horse-bell : 
having  gone  a  little  way  he  saw  an  Indian,  who  had 
just  killed  a  Fawn  and  dressed  it:  the  Indian  coming 
towards  the  house  with  him,  to  get  some  victuals, 
having,  he  said,  eat  nothing  that  morning,  he  saw  a 
Deer,  and  shot  it,  and  charg'd  and  shot  again  at 
another,  which  ran  away ;  said  P.  stood  by  the  Indian 
until  he  skin'd  the  Deer ;  when  he  had  done,  he  told 
said  P.  he  might  take  it  in  if  he  wou'd,  for  he  would 
take  no  more  with  him,  upon  which,  said  P.  and  W. 
K.,  who  then  had  come  to  them,  took  it  up,  and  carry 'd 
it  in ;  when  he  had  given  the  Indian  his  Breakfast, 
said  Indian  ask'd  if  he  had  any  meal ;  he  said  he  had, 
and  gave  him  some ;  then  the  Indian  ask'd  for  But- 
ter, and  asking  his  wife  about  it,  he  gave  the  Indian 


28     CHURCHES  or  the  valley. 

some ;  but  he  denies  that  he  gave  these  things  as  a 
Reward  for  the  Yenison,  inasmuch  as  they  had  made 
no  Bargain  about  it. 

"  The  Session  Judge  that  J.  P.  do  acknowledge  his 
Breach  of  Sabbath  in  this  Matter,  and  be  rebuk'd 
before  the  Session  for  his  Sin." 

The  "Moderator"  referred  to  in  the  first  of  these 
extracts,  was  the  Rev.  Mr.  Blair,  who,  it  appears, 
was  the  minister  of  the  Rocky  Spring,  Middle  Spring, 
and  Big  Spring  Congregations,  and  divided  his  time 
equally  between  them.  How  long  Mr.  Blair  sus- 
tained this  relation  we  are  not  able  to  say,  but  when 
it  was  dissolved,  w^e  have  been  informed,  he  went  to 
the  city  of  New  York.  This  gentleman  was  highly 
esteemed  by  the  Congregation  for  his  piety  and  his 
learning.  As  a  proof  of  their  affection  for  him,  they 
conveyed  to  him  by  deed,  a  farm  belonging  to  them, 
which  lay  near  to  the  church,  and  contained  about 
two  hundred  and  fifty  acres.  Two  years  after  this, 
however,  for  some  reason  not  now  known,  he  resigned 
his  charge,  and  the  farm  was  sold.  Mr.  Blair  was 
preceded  in  his  labours  at  Middle  Spring,  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Calls,  of  Ireland,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clarke, 
of  Scotland,  each  of  whom,  with  the  sanction  of 
Presbytery,  served  the  Congregation  about  six  months 
or  a  year. 

At  a  sessional  meeting,  Sept.  3,  1744  we  find 
mention  made  of  the  "Rev.  Mr.  Robinson"  as  being 
present.  After  this,  notwithstanding  the  minutes  of 
Session  continue  until  1748,  there  is  no  reference  in 


MIDDLE    SPRING     CHURCH.  29 

them  at  all,  either  to  preaching  or  a  Pastor.  By 
reason  of  this  fact,  consequently,  as  Avell  as  the 
chasm  in  the  Minutes  of  Presbytery,  which,  as 
already  stated,  reaches  from  1750  to  1759,  that  por- 
tion of  the  history  of  Middle  Spring  is  a  blank. 
Nothing  can  be  learned  of  the  supply  of  the  pulpit, 
or  of  any  arrangements  in  regard  to  it,  until  in  1760, 
a  commissioner  from  the  congregation  lays  a  call 
before  the  Presbytery  "requesting  their  concurrence 
to  said  call's  being  presented  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Car- 
michael  of  New  Brunswick  Presbytery."  This  call, 
if  it  was  ever  prosecuted,  was  not  accepted. 

We  now  reach  the  time  when  Dr.  Cooper  was 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  Middle  Spring.  Of  this 
there  is  the  following  record  on  the  Minutes  of  Pres- 
bytery, May  23d,  1765.  "A  call  was  brought  in 
from  the  congregation  of  Middle  Spring  to  Mr. 
Robert  Cooper,  Probationer,  and  a  supplication  to 
the  Presbytery,  praying  them  to  present  said  call, 
and  to  allow  Mr.  Cooper  as  their  constant  supply 
till  next  Presbytery,  if  his  w^ay  be  not  now  clear  to 
accept  their  call.  Said  call  was  accordingly  pre- 
sented, and  Mr.  Cooper  desir'd  time  to  consider  of  it, 
as  he  cannot  see  his  way  at  present  clear  either  to 
accept  or  refuse  it."  "Messrs.  Campble,  Esq.,  and 
Benjamin  Blythe,  commissioners  from  Middle  Spring 
Congregation,  inform  the  Presbytery  that  the  con- 
gregation will  make  good  to  him  the  sum  of  one  hun- 
dred pounds  currency  per  annum."  Mr.  Cooper  ac- 
cepted the  call  in  October  of  the  same  year,  and  at 
3* 


30  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

the  same  time  declined  a   call  from  "  Tuscarora  in 
Virginia." 

The  following  letter  concerning  Dr.  Cooper  is  from 
the  pen  of  his  venerable  successor. 

"  Shippensburg,  May  20th,  1852. 

"  Rev.  and  respected  Brother, — 

"  In  reply  to  your  request  I  have  to  say,  that  my 
acquaintance  with  Dr.  Robert  Cooper,  was  not  until 
a  late  period  of  his  life.  Our  places  of  residence 
were  fully  fifty  miles  apart.  I  do  not  recollect  that 
I  ever  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him,  until  October, 
1799, — two  years  and  a  half  after  his  pastoral  re- 
lation to  the  church  at  Middle  Spring  was  dissolved, 
and  some  months  after  I  had  commenced  my  theo- 
logical studies.  This  meeting  was  at  a  Presbytery 
convened  at  Derry  Church,  for  the  ordination  and  in- 
stallation of  Dr.  Joshua  Williams.  My  acquaintance 
with  him  then,  was  limited  to  what  I  saw  and  heard 
in  the  transaction  of  presbyterial  business. 

''  On  the  following  April  I  presented  myself,  and 
was  received  on  trial  by  thp  Presbytery  of  Carlisle, 
nor  had  I  any  intercourse  with  Dr.  Cooper,  except 
at  presbyterial  meetings,  until  I  was  licensed  to 
preach,  October  9th,  1801.  From  that  time  I  al- 
ways spent  at  his  house  a  portion  of  my  time,  when 
appointed  to  preach  at  Middle  Spring,  and  frequently 
called  and  spent  a  day  and  night  on  my  way  to 
preach  at  other  places. 

"  I  always  found  him   very  hospitable, — a   kind, 


MIDDLE     SPRING     CHURCH.  31 

friendly,  and  instructive  companion ;  and  I  have  no 
doubt  that  he  was  truly  pious.  That  he  stood  high 
in  the  opinion  of  his  brethren  of  the  Synods  of  New 
York  and  Philadelphia,  then  the  supreme  judicatory 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States, 
would  appear  from  the  fact,  that  he  was  appointed 
on  a  committee,  with  others,  among  the  most  cele- 
brated divines  of  the  day,  '  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  constitution  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  and 
other  Protestant  churches,  and,  agreeably  to  the  ge- 
neral principles  of  Presbyterian  government,  com- 
plete a  system  of  general  rules  for  the  government 
of  the  Synod  and  the  several  Presbyteries  under 
their  inspection,  and  the  people  in  their  communion.' 

"I  have  not  heard  Dr.  Cooper  preach  very  often, 
only  a  few  times  at  Middle  Spring,  after  my  settle- 
ment there,  and  on  a  few  occasions  elsewhere.  As 
to  his  preaching,  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  he  ap- 
peared not  to  aim  at  display  of  talents  and  oratory, 
but  to  be  instructive  and  practical.  Before  his  set- 
tlement at  Middle  Spring,  it  appears,  from  the  Pres- 
byterial  Records,  that,  for  some  reason,  he  was  highly 
prized,  and  his  preaching  much  sought  after  by  the 
churches. 

"  I  think  I  never  saw  but  one  sermon  of  his  fully 
Avritten  out,  and  some  two  or  three  skeletons,  though 
I  have  reason  to  believe  he  had,  in  his  time,  written 
a  number  in  full.  I  do  not  remember  ever  to  have 
seen  him  use  any  notes  in  the  pulpit,  and  I  believe 
he  seldom,  if  ever,  did.     I  heard  him  on  one  occa- 


32       CHURCUES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

sion,  in  a  sermon,  declaiming  with  severity  against 
reading  sermons. 

"  His  literary  attainments  were  very  respectable, 
though  his  education  was  not  commenced  in  early 
life.  He  must,  I  suppose,  have  been  upwards  of 
thirty  years  of  age  when  he  entered  the  ministry. 
Being  gifted  with  a  strong  and  sound  mind,  he  was 
judicious,  well-informed  in  Theology,  a  sound  Calvin- 
ist,  and  always  ready  to  give  his  views  on  any  subject 
proposed.  A  number  of  young  men  of  very  respec- 
table standing  in  the  ministry,  studied  Theology 
under  his  direction ;  among  whom  were  Dr.  Joshua 
Williams,  of  Newville,  and  Dr.  Herron,  of  Pittsburg. 
Except  a  few  articles  in  the  newspapers  of  the  day, 
he  never,  so  far  as  I  know,  published  anything  but 
a  small  pamphlet  on  Prophecy,  entitled  '  The  Signs 
of  the  Times.' 

"  I  may  add  that  I  am  Dr.  Cooper's  successor  in 
the  church  at  Middle  Spring, — the  first  and  only 
pastor  of  it  since  his  time.  After  a  vacancy  of  six 
years,  during  which  the  congregation  was  well  sup- 
plied, by  members  of  the  Presbytery  and  a  number 
of  very  respectable  licentiates,  with  the  preaching  of 
the  gospel  and  the  administration  of  Divine  ordi- 
nances, a  call  was  given  to  me,  April  12th,  1803, 
which  was  accepted.  On  the  5th  October,  1803,  I 
was  ordained,  and  installed  Pastor  of  that  church, 
and  here  I  am  until  this  day. 

"  The  following  dates  I  take  from  the  Records  of 
Presbytery : 


MIDDLE     SPRING     C  II  U  II  C  II.  33 


u  i 


Dr.  Cooper  graduated  at  Princeton,  1763  ;  was 
licensed  to  preach,  Feb.  2"2d,  1765 ;  was  ordained 
and  installed  at  Middle  Spring,  Nov.  21st,  1765; 
resigned  his  pastoral  relation,  Ap.  12th,  1797 ;  de- 
parted this  life,  April  5th,  1805.' 

"Very  sincerely, 
"  Your  friend  and  brother  in  the  Gospel, 

*'JonN  MOODEY." 

Dr.  Cooper's  remains  are  buried  in  the  "  Lower 
Graveyard"  of  the  church,  and  on  his  tombstone  is 
this  inscription : — 

"  In  memory  of  Rev.  Robert  Cooper,  D.D.,  Pastor 
of  the  Congregation  of  Middle  Spring  nearly  forty 
years,  who  departed  this  life  a.d.  1805,  aged  73 
years.  Also,  his  surviving  partner,  Elizabeth  Cooper, 
who  deceased  a.d.  1829,  aged  nearly  86  years. 

"  De  quibus  qui  nunc  vivunt  et  audiverunt  vene- 
rantur,  qui  contemporales  noverunt,  plerique  mortui 
sunt." 

As  there  is  some  discrepancy  between  the  state- 
ment of  Dr.  Moodey,  as  to  the  length  of  time  Dr. 
Cooper  was  pastor  of  Middle  Spring,  and  the  record 
of  this  that  is  made  on  his  tombstone,  it  is  probable 
that  in  the  latter  case  the  time  is  estimated  from  the 
date  of  Dr.  Cooper's  acceptance  of  the  call,  to  his 
death,  instead  of  to  the  dissolution  of  his  pastoral 
relation,  as  it  should  have  been.=^' 

*  The  following  extract  from  a  letter  from  Jonathan  K.  Cooper, 
Esq.,  of  Peoria,  111.  (a  grandson  of  Dr.  Cooper),  is  here  in  place. 


34  CnURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

As  we  have  already  had  occasion  to  notice,  the 
Rev.  John  Moodey,  a  native  of  Dauphin  County,  in 
this  State, — who,  after  he  graduated  in  Princeton 
College  in  1796,  studied.  Theology  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Rev.  James  Snodgrass, — succeeded  Dr. 
Cooper  as  pastor  of  Middle  Spring.  Mr.  Moodey 
was  called,  and  ordained,  and  installed,  in  1803,  and 
there  he  has  ever  since  remained,  notwithstanding 
the  frequent  sundering  of  pastoral  relations  that  has 
taken  place  around  him. 

Dr.  Moodey,  who  was  born  July  4th,  1776,  is 
now,  of  course,  far  advanced  in  life.  To  him  have 
been  allotted,  by  a  kind  Providence,  more  than 
threescore  years  and  ten.  He  stands  as  the  repre- 
sentative of  a  generation  which  will  soon  have  en- 
tirely disappeared.  But  one  now  lives  in  connexion 
with  the  Presbytery,  that  belonged  to  it  at  his  recep- 
tion ;  and  most  of  the  oldest  members  of  his  congre- 
gation are  either  those  w^hom  he  baptized  in  their 

"The  cause  of  my  grandfather's  retiring  from  the  active  duties 
of  his  charge  was,  as  perhaps  you  are  aware,  a  strange,  brooding 
melancholy  (occasioned,  as  it  was  found,  by  a  dropsical  habit  of 
body),  which,  for  a  season,  whelmed  his  mind  in  gloom,  and 
made  him  doubt,  not  merely  his  fitness  for  the  station  he  filled, 
but  the  sufficiency  of  the  hope  in  which  he  had  himself  trusted. 
With  returning  health,  his  confidence  and  hope  were  restored, 
and  he  experienced  again  a  bright  sunshine  of  the  soul,  during 
which  he  travelled  extensively,  and  preached  in  the  newly- 
settled  and  mountainous  parts  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  as 
a  sort  of  missionary,  still  residing,  however,  on  his  farm  in  the 
bounds  of  Middle  Spring,  and,  I  presume,  occasionally  offici- 
ating." 


MIDDLE     SPRING     CHURCH.  6b 

infancy,  or  ^vliose  memory  cannot  reach  beyond  his 
ministry.  Few,  indeed,  remain,  who  witnessed  his 
installation.  They  have  nearly  all  been  removed  by 
death,  and  now  sleep  either  in  the  graveyard  of  the 
church  in  which  they  worshipped,  or  in  some  distant 
part  of  the  country  in  which  they  settled  and  died. 

To  say  of  the  pastoral  relation  which  has  for  half 
a  century  subsisted  at  Middle  Spring,  that  it  has 
been  marked  with  peace,. would  be  but  to  affirm  what 
truth  demands.  To  say,  also,  of  Dr.  Moodey,  that 
his  long  life  has  been  one  of  Christian  consistency 
and  large  usefulness,  would  be  only  to  utter  a  testi- 
mony which  none  that  have  known  him  Avould  hesi- 
tate to  endorse.  For  fifty  years  he  has  gone  in  and 
out  before  his  people,  preaching  to  them,  though 
always  changing,  a  gospel  that  changes  not,  and 
exhibiting  to  them  an  example  of  calm,  steady,  and 
trustful  devotion  to  the  service  of  God.  As  a 
preacher,  he  has  ever  had  an  excellent  reputation, 
and  been  regarded  as  a  logical,  instructive,  and  able 
expounder  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  With  him 
there  never  have  been  the  flourishes  of  oratory,  or 
flashes  of  fancy,  or  efi'orts  after  novelty,  which  so 
often  attract  without  permanently  pleasing ;  but  his 
ministry  has  ever  been  characterized  by  a  plain, 
manly,  and  solemn  exhibition  of  the  Word,  and  a 
bringing  of  things  new  and  old  out  of  his  treasure, 
which  have  saved  his  acceptableness  in  the  pulpit 
from  ^anything  like  abatement.  He  is  now,  as  he 
ever  has  been,  universally  esteemed  in  the  commu- 


36  CHURCHES     OF     TJIE     VALLEY. 

nity  in  which  his  days  have  been  chiefly  spent ;  and 
when  it  shall  please  God  to  allow  him  to  sink  into 
the  ground  which  he  has  seen  so  often  broken  for 
others,  all  will  acknowledge  that  a  faithful  servant 
of  the  Most  High  has  gone  to  his  reward. 

The  following  statistics,  with  which  we  have  been 
furnished  by  Dr.  Moodey,  will  be  read  with  interest : 

*'  In  my  church  there  have  been  1165  baptisms ; 
of  these  there  were  44  white  adults,  one  a  female 
above  fifty  years  of  age,  and  4  adults  and  3  infants 
of  colour.  In  other  churches,  where,  by  Presbyterial 
appointments,  I  have  preached,  and  administered,  or 
aided  in  administering,  the  Lord's  Supper,  I  have 
baptized  139  infants  and  8  adults:  3  of  the  last  were 
persons  of  colour.    Whole  number  of  baptisms,  1312. 

"During  my  pastoral  relation  with  Middle  Spring, 
there  have  been  added  to  the  list  of  our  communi- 
cants, 655.  A  few  of  these  have  been  received  on 
certificate ;  but  by  reason  of  death,  removal,  and 
church  extension,  the  number  increases  but  slowly. 
The  largest  number  added  at  any  one  time  was  24 ; 
and  on  every  occasion,  with  one  exception,  there 
have  been  mare  or  less  added. 

"I  have  ofiiciated  at  the  solemnization  of  587 
marriages.  The  numbers  who  have  sprung  from  our 
congregation  and  become  preachers  of  the  gospel  are 
very  gratifying." 

We  now  proceed  to  notice  the  church  at  Middle 
Spring.  Those  who  are  familiar  with  this  locality, 
three  miles  north  of  Shippensburg,  remember  well 


MIDDLE     SPRING     CHURCH.  37 

the  green  slope  to  the  right,  on  which  the  building 
stands ;  the  graveyard  in  the  rear ;  the  beautiful 
wood,  stretching  back,  with  its  refreshing  shadows ; 
"the  old  mill-dam,"  a  few  rods  to  the  left  of  the 
road,  calmly  reflecting  the  light  of  heaven ;  the  foun- 
tain of  fresh  water  bubbling  up  close  by ;  the  mur- 
muring stream,  which  rolls  on  under  the  thick  over- 
hanging foliage;  and  the  "Lower  Graveyard,"  a 
little  to  the  north,  along  which  that  stream  flows  in 
its  course,  chaunting  its  sweet  requiem  for  the  dead. 
It  was  in  that  graveyard  the  first  church  in  that 
region  was  built.  Anxious  for  a  place  of  worship, 
the  early  settlers  met  to  devise  a  plan  for  this  pur- 
pose ;  and  the  result  of  their  consultation  was  the 
erection  of  a  log-building,  near  the  gate  of  the  grave- 
yard, about  thirty-five  feet  square.  This  was  about 
the  year  1738.  Soon  this  edifice,  in  which,  for  a 
while  there  was  preaching  only  four  or  five  times  a 
year,  was  found  to  be  too  small  to  accommodate  the 
people,  and  it  was  demolished,  and  another  of  the 
same  material  erected  on  the  same  spot.  This  was 
considerably  larger,  being  about  fifty-eight  feet  long 
and  forty-eight  feet  wide.  In  a  little  while  it  became 
necessary  again  that  the  house  of  worship  should 
have  its  capacity  extended ;  and  this  desideratum 
was  eff*ected  by  removing  three  sides  of  the  building 
then  in  use,  and  embracing  a  little  more  space  on 
either  side,  which  was  covered  with  a  roof,  some- 
thing in  the  form  of  a  shed.  Up  the  sides  of  these 
additions  to  the  main   edifice,   and  over  the  roofs, 

4 


38     CHURCHES  of  the  valley. 

were  fixed  wooden  steps,  by  which  access  was  gained 
into  the  gallery.  This  arrangement  was  made  for 
want  of  room  in  the  interior  of  the  building  for  the 
construction  of  a  stairway.  Of  the  internal  appear- 
ance of  this  ancient  structure  we  are  not  able  to  give 
any  very  definite  information.  We  have  been  told, 
however,  that  the  pulpit,  which  was  of  walnut,  was  a 
remarkably  neat  piece  of  workmanship  for  that  day. 
This  interesting  relic,  which,  with  other  portions  of 
the  building  at  the  time  it  was  torn  down,  was  pur- 
chased by  Samuel  Cox,  Esq.,  was  converted  into  a 
table,  which  is  yet  in  the  possession  of  his  son,  John 
Cox,  Esq.,  who  still  lives  in  the  old  homestead. 

In  this  church,  for  many  years,  the  growing  con- 
gregation worshipped ;  and  during  this  time  the 
graveyard  was  filled  with  the  dead.  This  sacred 
spot,  which  consists  of  about  an  acre  of  ground,  is 
enclosed  b}^  a  substantial  stone  wall,  and  stands  by 
the  roadside,  teaching  its  solemn  lesson  to  the  passer- 
by. Of  the  epitaphs  upon  the  few  tombstones  which 
it  contains,  we  give  the  following : — 

"  Here  lies  the  body  of  John  Eeynolds,  Esq.,  who 
departed  this  life  on  the  twentieth  day  of  October, 
1789,  aged  40  years. 

"This  modest  stone  (what  few  vain  marbles  can) 
May  truly  say,  '  Here  lies  an  honest  man.'  " 

"  Interred  here  is  the  body  of  Capt.  Samuel  Kears- 
ley,  a  veteran  survivor  of  the  Revolution  which  pro- 


MIDDLE    SPRING    CHURCH.  39 

cured  the  Independence  of  America,  who  departed 
this  life  on  the  22d  of  March,  a.d.  1880,  in  the  81st 
year  of  his  age. 

"In  profession  a  Christian, 
A  soldier  intrepid, 
In  body  and  mind  vigorous, 
Fearless  of  man, 
But  who  confessed  that  Wisdom's  beginning  is  God's  fear." 

About  the  year  1781,  the  old  stone  church  was 
erected,  whose  site,  as  is  well  known,  was  just  beside 
that  of  the  present  building.  This  was  still  larger 
than  its  predecessor  (being  fifty-eight  by  sixty-eight 
feet),  and  was  necessarily  so,  by  reason  of  the  rapid 
increase  of  population.  About  the  same  time  that 
this  church  was  built,  and  which,  for  its  day,  was  one 
of  more  than  ordinary  elegance,  the  graveyard  imme- 
diately in  its  rear,  was  located.  This  was  done,  not 
only  because  the  old  receptacle  of  the  dead  was  well 
filled,  but  also  because  its  soil  was  of  a  gravelly 
description,  and  its  lower  section,  by  reason  of  its 
nearness  to  the  stream,  was  subject  to  frequent 
inundation. 

The  present  building  at  Middle  Spring,  which  was 
erected  in  1848,  and  demanded  by  the  dilapidated 
condition  of  the  former  one,  is  a  neat  brick  edifice, 
one  story  high,  with  a  gallery  for  a  choir,  and 
capacity  to  accommodate  about  four  hundred  per- 
sons. It  was  with  many  a  deep  regret  that  the 
necessity  was  yielded  to  that  called  for  the  erection 


40  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

of  this  new  church ;  and  hundreds  there  were  who 
were  in  full  sympathy  with  one  whose  earliest  asso- 
ciations were  blended  with  that  neighbourhood,  and 
who,  returning  after  the  absence  of  years,  thus 
uttered  his  feelings  in  the  contemplation  of  the 
change  that  was  soon  to  occur : — 

"Welcome  to  me  once  more  this  green  churchyard, 

To  which,  this  bright  May  morn,  have  come  my  feet: 
Ah,  from  the  village  near,  still  hitherward 
Outdrawn  I  am  that  good  old  church  to  greet, 
And  these  sad  graves,  to  pay  them  homage  meet ; 
What  times  I  come  back  to  this  neighbourhood, 

Long  whiles  between,  where  erst  my  boyhood  sweet 
Was  sped,  here  o'er  its  joys  despoiled  to  brood. 
But  though  it  bringeth  dole  the  while,  it  doth  me  good. 

**  As  now,  long  gone,  oft  sauntering  have  I  come 

Adown  that  stream  on  Sabbath  mornings  bland, — 
In  town  at  school,  but  longing  much  for  home, — 
Beneath  that  poplar  near  the  church  to  stand. 
Watching  each  carriage  come  and  folks  disband ; 
Till,  see !  our  own  wends  to  its  trysting-place ! 

Then  did  I  bound  to  grasp  each  welcome  hand ; 
To  catch  the  beaming  looks  of  each  young  face, 
A  father's  anxious  smile,  a  mother's  soft  embrace ! 

**  They  come  not  now,  who  gave  that  spot  its  zest. 

Parent  and  brothers,  sisters,  all  are  gone 

To  newer  homes,  far  settled  in  the  West, — 

No  more  to  walk,  on  holy  days,  this  lawn. 

Yet  one  here  rests.     0,  most  revered  one ! 

Dear  parent  mine !     Say,  is  thy  spirit  near, 

To  whose  green  mound  here  have  I  first  been  drawn  ? 
Mark'st  thou  my  sorrowing  step  and  briny  tear, 
To  think  I  loved  thee  not  the  more  when  thou  wast  here  ? 


MIDDLE     SPRING     CHURCH.  41 

*'That  old  stone  church!     Hid  in  these  oaks  apart, 
I  hoped  Improvement  ne'er  would  it  invade  ; 
But  only  Time,  with  his  slow,  hallowing  art. 

Would  touch  it,  year  by  year,  with  softer  shade, 
And  crack  its  walls  no  more,  but,  interlaid, 
Mend  them  with  moss.     Its  ancient  sombre  cast 

Dearer  to  me  is  than  all  art  displayed 
In  modern  churches,  which,  by  their  contrast. 
Make  this  to  stand  forlorn,  held  in  the  solemn  Past. 

"Ah,  now,  they  tell  me,  they  will  raze  it  low, 
And  build  a  lowlier,  neater  church  instead ; 
And  well,  no  doubt,  it  is  it  should  be  so. 
But  me  not  joy  it  brings,  but  drearihead: 
For  still  my  thoughts,  like  fondest  ivy  spread. 
In  memory  green,  do  clasp  that  old  church-pile ; 

And  round  a  softer,  holier  light  is  shed. 
Than  that  through  stained  glass  on  chequered  aisle: 
Oh,  must  it  then  be  torn,  on  me  no  more  to  smile  ?" 

In  "that  old  stone  church"  there  was,  for  many 
long  years,  a  very  large  congregation.  Its  boun- 
daries reached  six  or  eight  miles  in  several  directions. 
When  the  Sabbath  dawned,  every  road  and  avenue 
might  be  seen  thronged  with  those  who  were  assem- 
bling for  worship, — some  on  foot,  some  on  horse- 
back, and  some  in  carriages.  The  spacious  house 
was  crowded.  Even  the  galleries,  above  which  "  the 
swallow  had  built  a  nest  for  herself,  where  she  might 
lay  her  young,"  was  filled.  Loud  throughout  the 
surrounding  forest  might  be  heard  the  praises  of 
God.  At  "intermission,"  the  people  gathered  toge- 
ther in  little  circles.  Some  wandered  to  the  ceme- 
tery, to  sigh  over  the  departed  loved  ones,  and  drop 
4* 


42  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

a  tear  upon  the  sweet-briar  that  bloomed  by  their 
graves.  Some  flocked  to  the  "spring,"  to  quaif  its 
sparkling  waters.  Others  met  to  exchange  saluta- 
tions and  friendly  greetings.  The  interval  past,  the 
public  service  of  the  sanctuary  was  resumed,  and  in 
a  little  while  a  scene  of  happy  confusion  was  to  be 
witnessed: — the  old,  and  middle-aged,  and  young, 
moving  off  to  their  homes,  comfortable,  at  least,  in 
the  consciousness  that,  whatever  other  sins  might  be 
laid  to  their  charge,  they  had  not  neglected  the 
assembling  of  themselves  together.  Pleasant  days 
were  those  at  Middle  Spring  ! 

Here  we  cannot  resist  the  temptation  to  give, 
somewhat  at  length,  an  admirable  description  of  the 
old  church,  which,  though  written  in  1847,  has  but 
recently  been  published,  and  from  which  we  have 
presented  an  extract  already.* 

"Its  pews  of  obdurate  pine,  straight-backed  and  tall — 
Its  gallery,  mounted  high  three  sides  around — 
Its  pulpit,  goblet-formed,  half  up  the  wall. 

The  sounding-board  above,  with  acorn  crowned, 

And  Rouse's  psalms,  that  erst  therein  did  sound 

To  old  fugue  tunes,  to  some  the  thoughts  might  raise 

Of  folks  antique  that  certes  there  were  found — 
Ah  no !     I  wote  in  those  enchanting  days. 
There  beauty  beamed,  there  swelled  the  richest  notes  of  praise. 

"What  though  no  dainty  choir  the  gallery  graced. 
And  trolled  their  tunes  in  soft,  harmonious  flow ; 


*  Poem   by  Prof.   W.   M.   Nevin:— "^Ae    Guardian:'     May, 
1852. 


MIDDLE     SPRING     CHURCH.  43 

One  pious  clerk,  tall  formed  and  sober  faced, 
With  book  enclutched,  stood  at  his  desk  below, 
And  with  his  pitch  all  people's  voice  did  go; 

If  not  full  blent,  certes  in  soul  sincere. 

Up  from  their  hearts  their  praises  they  did  throw, 

Nor  cared  they  e'en,  of  some  deaf  dame,  to  hear, 
At  close,  the  voice  in  suit,  lone  quavering  in  the  rear. 

"Out  from  that  pulpit's  height,  deep-browed  and  grave, 
The  man  of  God  ensconced,  half  bust  was  shown, 
"Weighty  and  wise,  he  did  not  thump  nor  rave. 
Nor  lead  his  folks,  upwrought,  to  smile  nor  moan. 
By  him,  slow  cast,  the  seeds  of  truth  were  sown, 
Which,  lighting  on  good  soil,  took  lasting  hold. 

Not  springing  eftsoons,  then  to  wilt  ere  grown, 
But,  in  long  time,  their  fruits  increased  were  told  : 
Some  thirty,  sixty  some,  and  some  an  hundred  fold. 

**  Ah,  then,  in  our  pew,  my  cousin  Bess, 
Happy  I  was  downseated  by  thy  side. 
With  youngsters  more,  in  middle  stowed,  the  less, 
Where,  sex  from  sex,  we  did  our  kin  divide. 
High  boarded  up  no  face  without  we  spied, 
Save  of  his  Reverence  high,  or  some  ybent 
Out  o'er  the  balustrade  of  gallery  wide. 
Thus  were  our  minds  from  vanities  safe  pent. 
And  kept  the  text,  I  wote,  and  each  commandement. 

"  And  when,  through  summers,  thou  hadst  tall  up  grown, 
Above  that  pew  did  peer  thy  witching  grace. 
Like  some  red  rose  out  o'er  its  wall,  full  blown. 
Is  seen  abroad,  unweeting  of  its  case. 
And  thy  full  voice,  within  that  holy  place. 
Was  heard  all  others  through,  richest,  I  ween; 

And  not  a  daintier  foot  nor  lovelier  face. 
When  all  out  came  the  service  times  between. 
Nor  on  this  shaded  knoll  nor  by  yon  spring  was  seen. 


44  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

*'  Nurtured  thou  wast  hard  by  yon  mountain's  height, 
Which  now  the  distance  does  in  azure  steep  ; 
Whose  base  with  laurels,  moss,  and  fern  is  dight, 
Where  through  its  gap  the  gladsome  waters  leap. 
The  scene  there  doth  its  verdure  ever  keep  ; 
And  with  its  joys  was  thy  young  spirit  stirred  ; 
And  thy  dark  eye  mirrored  its  beauty  deep  ; 
And  in  its  glens  thy  mellow  voice  was  heard, 
Sweeter  than  dash  of  stream  or  song  of  mountain  bird. 

"  Ah,  can  it  be  that  slumbering  thou  art  laid, 

Hard  by  this  high,  in  yon  low  bui'ial  plot, 

In  quiet  bed  trimmed  by  the  sexton's  spade, 

With  grass  o'ergrown,  and  violets  thither  brought 
By  hands  bereaved !     Yes,  sorrow  deep  was  wrought, 
And  still  for  thee  is  felt  a  lasting  gloom  ; 

For  just  when  thy  rich  heart  and  sprightliest  thought 
Were  shedding  us,  like  rose,  their  prime  perfume. 
Then  snapped,  thou  sudden  fell'st  into  that  early  tomb  ! 

"In  this  high  burial-ground,  in  that  below, 

No  massive  structure  stands  of  sculptured  stone  ; 
No  column's  shaft,  off  broke,  that  it  might  show 
Youth's  vigour  downwards  all  untimely  thrown. 
But  humble  slabs  and  headstones  many  strown. 
Simply  the  names  and  years  and  worth  avow 

Of  those  here  laid.     'Tis  well.    They  covet  none. 
In  life  the}'-  were  j^lain  men  of  honest  brow. 
They  sought  no  honours  then,  nor  do  they  seek  them  now. 

"  Here  were  they  gathered  every  good  Lord's  day, 
From  town,  from  hamlet,  and  from  country  wide, 
In  pleasant  groups,  but  meek  and  staid  alway, 
They  showed  not  often  levity  nor  pride ; 
Yet  sooth  in  some  gay  maids  some  pranks  were  spied, 
Misled  by  dress  and  spirits  over  light. 

Out  by  yon  firs,  with  beaux  convened  aside, 


MIDDLE     STRING     CHURCH.  45 

They  laughed  find  joked  ;  yes,  some  did  shrill  outright! 
And  that  it  was  God's  day  they  had  forgotten  quite. 

'*  But  these  were  few  :  and  for  that  breach,  I  wote, 
At  home  their  mothers  did  them  well  aread. 
Others  all  o'er  this  place  in  solemn  thought. 
Stood  lone,  or  spoke  with  sanctimonious  heed. 
Yet  this  to  take  full  many  had  no  need. 
For  they  were  grave  in  grain.     Who  would  might  scan, 

Still  were  they  upright  found  in  word  and  deed. 
They  knew,  but  most  they  felt,  the  gospel  plan, 
And  loved  their  God  supreme,  and  next  their  fellow-man. 

"Blest  sight  it  was  to  mark  that  godly  flock. 

At  intermission,  grouped  throughout  this  wood. 
Each  log,  each  bench,  each  family  upping-block, 
Some  granddame  held  amidst  her  gathered  brood- 
Here  cakes  were  shared,  and  fruits,  and  counsel  good ; 
Devoutly  spoken  'twas  of  crops  and  rain ; 

Hard  by  the  church  the  broad-brimmed  elders  stood, 
While  o'er  that  slope  did  flow  a  constant  train 
Of  bevies,  springward  bound,  or  coming  back  again. 

**  Ah!  luckless  wight,  whom  gallantry  did  press, 
Fast  by  that  spring,  to  stoop  him  often  low. 
And  serve,  with  cup  up-dipped,  and  bland  address, 
The  gathered  fair,  whose  multitude  did  grow ! 
One  whom  he  most  afi"ects,  and  did  bestow 
Her  first  the  cup,  hath  drunk,  and  off  does  walk ; 

Her  then  to  follow  fain  he  must  forego, — 
With  some  far  happier  swain  he  marks  her  talk, 
While  he  must  stoop,  and  grin,  and  water  all  the  flock. 

♦'  Here  too,  like  me,  some  lonesome  wight  of  yore 
Did  stand  apart,  and  these  memorials  scan, 
And  blighted  hopes  and  buried  loves  deplore, 
And  feel,  in  sooth,  how  frail  a  thing  is  man. 


46       CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

Hither  the  widow  came,  weeping  and  wan, 
To  muse  on  him  of  late  her  joy  and  pride. 

Ah!  now  no  more  she  mourns  the  solemn  ban 
Which  did  her  then  from  her  loved  spouse  divide — 
Now  does  she  sleep  herself  all  sweetly  by  his  side. 

"These  ask  no  ponderous  tombs,  yet  sooth  to  tell, 
Above  doth  lie  the  turf,  too  bleak  and  bare ; 
For  they  did  love  their  homes  and  country  well. 
And  still  of  these  fresh  garlands  they  should  share. 
Here  should  the  rose  its  ruddiest  clusters  wear, 
The  willow  droop,  the  cedar  winters  brave; — 
But,  ah !  few  hands  are  left  for  this  to  care. 
So  mote  the  briar  spring,  and  o'er  each  grave 
Spread  out  its  vernal  blossoms.    This  they  seem  to  crave." 

That  the  congregation  of  Middle  Spring  is  not 
now  as  large  as  formerly,  is  well  known.  Germans 
have  settled  in  the  region  from  which  it  once  derived 
its  numerical  strength,  and  consequently  have  limited 
the  Presbyterian  population  from  which  accessions 
might  be  expected.  Other  congregations,  too,  have 
sprung  up  in  the  neighbourhood,  which  have  served 
to  weaken  the  old  one  from  which  they  proceeded. 
We  regard  it  as  one  of  the  evils  of  the  times,  that 
congregations  have,  in  late  years,  been  so  much  mul- 
tiplied ;  for,  to  say  nothing  of  the  fact  that  attend- 
ance upon  public  worship  has  not  increased  by  being 
rendered  more  convenient,  it  is  undeniable  that,  in 
this  way,  venerable  and  vigorous  churches  have  had 
their  strength  and  influence  seriously  impaired,  whilst 
the  new  organizations  erected  around  them,  have  also, 


MIDDLE     SPRING     CHURCH.  47 

in  most  instances,  been  doomed  to  a  feeble  and  em- 
barrassed existence.  Such  a  course,  however,  was 
pursued  in  regard  to  Middle  Spring,  and  it  certainly 
has  not  contributed  to  its  prosperity.  The  present 
members  of  the  Session  of  the  Church  are  as  follows: 
Joseph  M.  Means,  Abraham  S.  McKinney,  David  S. 
Runsha,  Robert  S.  McCune,  James  Kelso,  Robert 
McCune,  and  Samuel  Wherry. 


48 


CHAPTER  III. 


BIG     SPRING     CHURCH. 


Among  the  primitive  Presbyterian  ministers  of 
Pennsylvania,  were  several  of  the  name  Craighead. 
One  of  these,  whose  Christian  name  is  not  given  on 
the  Records  of  Presbytery,  was  installed  as  pastor 
of  the  congregation  of  Pequea,  in  Lancaster  County, 
in  1733.  Another  (Alexander)  settled  at  Middle 
Octarara,  in  the  same  county,  about  the  same  time. 
The  name  of  a  third  (Thomas)  appears  on  the  Pres- 
byterial  Records  in  1735.  These  last  two  gentlemen 
were  the  first  preachers  of  the  Gospel  in  the  regions 
beyond  the  Susquehanna.  In  1734  the  former  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  Presbytery  to  "supply  over  the  river." 
The  year  following,  "a  supplication  from  the  settle- 
ment over  the  river  desiring  supplies,"  he  was  again 
appointed  to  act  in  the  same  capacity.  In  the  same 
year,  Mr.  Thomas  Craighead  was  sent  to  "supply 
the  people  of  'Conodoguinot."  This  gentleman  was 
a  cousin  of  Mr.  John  Craighead,  who  settled  at  an 
early  date  on  Yellow  Breeches  Creek,  near  Carlisle, 
and  who  was  the  father  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Craighead, 
afterwards  pastor  of  the  church  at  Rocky  Spring. 


BIG     SPUING     CIIURCir.  49 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Craighead  was  the  first  pastor 
of  Big  Spring  Congregation,  or  Hopewell,  as  it  was 
then  called.  lie  entered  into  this  relation  with  it  in 
1738.  In  regard  to  his  salary,  it  is  only  recorded 
that,  "A  list  of  subscriptions  being  produced,  the 
commissioners  agreed  that  Mr.  Craighead  shall  have 
the  benefit  of  all  future  subscriptions."  Previously 
to  this  settlement,  it  would  seem  that  Mr.  C.  was 
stated  supply  at  Carlisle  and  Silvers'  Spring  (or 
Upper  and  Lower  Pennsborough) ;  for  in  1738  it  was 
ordered  by  Presbytery,  ''  that  the  two  Societies  in 
Pennsburg  pay  to  Mr.  Craighead  the  two-thirds  of 
sixteen  pounds,  for  the  half  year  that  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  supply  there,  and  that  the  people  of  Mr. 
Craighead's  congregation  make  up  the  other  third." 

About  the  time  of  Mr.  Craighead's  settlement  at 
Hopewell,  there  was  some  difficulty  existing  between 
that  congregation  and  the  one  at  Upper  Pennsbo- 
rough, in  relation  to  the  proposed  erection  of  a  meet- 
ing-house by  the  former.  The  nature  and  issue  of 
this  difiiculty,  the  subjoined  extracts  from  the  Pres- 
byterial  Records  will  serve,  in  some  degree,  to  ex- 
plain. 

June  22d,  1737.  "A  supplication  from  the  peo- 
ple of  Hopewell  being  presented,  requesting  the  con- 
currence of  Presbytery  to  draw  a  call  to  Mr.  Thomas 
Craighead,  the  Presbytery,  finding  some  inconveni- 
ence in  reference  to  the  situation  of  one  of  their 
houses,  don't  see  cause  to  concur  with  them  at  pre- 
sent, but  do  appoint  Mr.  Black  to  supply  at  Penns- 


50  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

boro'  on  the  last  Sabbath  of  July,  and  on  the  week 
following  to  convene  that  people  and  the  people  of 
Hopewell,  at  James  McFarlan's,  in  order  to  inquire 
if  Pennsboro'  will  agree  that  Hopewell  build  a  meet- 
ing-house at  Great  Spring,  —  and  make  a  report 
thereof  at  our  next." 

Aug.  31,  1737.  "  Mr.  Black  reports  that  he  sup- 
plied at  Pennsboro',  and  convened  the  people  and 
those  of  Hopewell  on  the  Monday  folloAving,  and 
heard  them  confer  about  the  meeting-house  proposed 
to  be  built  at  Great  Spring,  but  the  parties  did  not 
agree  about  the  same." 

Subsequently,  "  Presbytery  voted,  by  a  great  ma- 
jority, not  to  alter  the  bounds  of  the  congregation  of 
Pennsboro',"  and  "  disapproved  the  people  of  Hope- 
well building  a  meeting-house  just  on  the  border  of 
Pennsborough  congregation." 

Mr.  Craighead,  though  called  in  1737,  was  not  in- 
stalled until  October,  1738.  This  service  was  con- 
ducted by  the  Rev.  Alexander  Craighead,  an  "edict," 
by  order  of  Presbytery,  having  been  sent  "  to  be 
published  timeously  before."  Mr.  Craighead  died  in 
June  of  the  ensuing  year.  In  relation  to  this  event, 
Thomas  Craighead,  Jr.,  of  Whitehill,  Cumberland 
County,  has  thus  written  in  a  letter,  dated  Dec.  16, 
1845,  and  published  in  Mr.  I.  D.  Rupp's  "  History 
of  Dauphin,  Cumberland,  Perry,  Bedford,  Adams, 
and  Franklin  Counties :" 

"At  Big  Spring,  protracted  meetings  were  held 
for  public  worship.     So  powerful,  it  is  said,  were  the 


BIG     SPRING     CHURCH.  51 

influences  of  the  Spirit,  that  the  worshippers  felt 
loth,  even  after  having  exhausted  their  stores  of  pro- 
vision, to  disperse.  I  have  heard  it  from  the  lips  of 
those  present,  when  Thomas  Craighead  delivered  one 
of  the  parting  discourses,  that  his  flow  of  elo(|uence 
seemed  supernatural, — he  continued  in  bursts  of  elo- 
quence, while  his  audience  was  melted  to  tears ;  him- 
self, however,  exhausted,  hurried  to  pronounce  the 
blessing,  waving  his  hand, — and  as  he  pronounced 
the  words.  Farewell,  farewell !  he  sank  down,  and 
expired  without  a  groan  or  struggle.  His  remains 
rest  where  the  church  now  stands,  the  only  monu- 
ment of  his  memory." 

After  Mr.  Craighead's  demise,  Mr.  James  Lyon, 
of  Ireland  (and,  at  the  time  of  his  invitation,  under 
the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle),  supplied 
the  pulpit  at  Hopewell  for  some  months.  After 
his  term  of  service  had  expired,  Big  Spring  was 
connected  with  Rocky  Spring  and  Middle  Spring,  as 
a  charge.  We  learn  this  from  the  sessional  records 
of  the  last-mentioned  congregation,  which  state  (1742) 
that  "  the  minister  and  elders  of  Big  Spring,  Middle 
Spring,  and  Rocky  Spring,  met  at  Middle  Spring, 
in  order  to  settle  the  division  of  the  minister's  labours 
among  the  three  congregations."  The  arrangement 
agreed  upon  at  this  meeting  was  ''  that  the  minister's 
labours  be  equally  divided  in  a  third  part  to  each 
place,  as  being  most  for  the  glory  of  God  and  good 
of  his  people."  It  was  also,  "upon  the  motion  of 
the  elders  of  Big  Spring,  left  to  them,  the  people, 


52     CHURCHES  of  the  valley. 

and  3Ir.  Blair,  to  converse  among  themselves  in 
respect  to  the  subscriptions  of  the  Big  Spring  Con- 
gregation." How  long  Mr.  Blair  sustained  the  pas- 
toral relation  to  these  three  congregations  we  have 
no  means  of  determining. 

The  next  point  at  which  it  is  possible  to  write 
with  any  confidence  of  the  regular  occupancy  of  the 
pulpit  at  Big  Spring,  is  1759.  In  that  year  the 
Rev.  George  DufEeld  was  installed  over  Carlisle  and 
Big  Spring.  According  to  the  terms  of  his  call, 
one-third  of  his  time  was  to  be  given  to  Big  Spring, 
and  two-thirds  to  Carlisle.  In  1761,  an  effort  was 
made  by  the  former  congregation  to  obtain  the  half 
of  Mr.  Dufiield's  labours ;  but  this  effort  was  not 
sanctioned,  for  reasons  which  were  regarded  as  satis- 
factory by  Presbytery,  and  among  which  was  an 
apprehension  that  Mr.  Duffield's  constitution  would 
not  be  able  to  endure,  any  length  of  time,  the  fatigue 
of  being  the  one-half  of  his  time  at  Big  Spring. 

Mr.  Duffield's  successor  at  Big  Spring  was  the 
Bev.  William  Linn.  The  congregation  at  this  time 
seems  to  have  increased  sufficiently  to  justify  them 
in  securing  the  time  and  labour  of  a  pastor  for  them- 
selves alone.  When,  precisely,  Mr.  Linn  was  called 
to  this  pastorate,  cannot  be  ascertained ;  for  it  was 
registered  in  that  portion  of  the  Records  of  Pres- 
bytery which  cannot  be  found.  It  was,  however, 
there  is  strong  reason  to  believe,  before  the  year 
1778.  In  1784,  Mr.  Linn  applied  to  Presbytery  to 
have  his  relation  to  the  congregation  dissolved,  in 


BIG     SPRING     CHURCH.  53 

order  that  he  might  accept  the  Presidency  of  Wash- 
ington Academy,  in  Somerset  County,  Maryland  ; 
and  his  request  was  granted. 

After  being  two  years  vacant,  the  church  at  Big 
Spring  found  a  pastor  in  the  Rev.  Samuel  Wilson, 
who  continued  with  them  until  he  was  removed  by 
death,  in  March,  1799.  There  is  yet  in  the  posses- 
sion of  Mrs.  Doctor  Sharp,  of  Newville, — who  is  the 
only  surviving  child  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson, — the 
call  which  was  given  to  her  father.  This  is  rather 
an  interesting  document  in  several  respects ;  and 
therefore  we  cheerfully  comply  with  the  request  of 
several  members  of  the  congregation,  communicated 
by  a  venerable  member  of  the  Session,  that  it  be 
published  in  our  volume.* 

In  1801,  the  Rev.  Joshua  Williams  was  called  to 
Big  Spring.  His  installation  took  place  April  14th, 
1802.  On  that  occasion  Dr.  Davidson  delivered  a 
discourse  from  Acts  xx.  27,  and  Dr.  Cooper  delivered 
a  charge.  The  salary  promised  was  "  two  hundred 
pounds  annually."  Dr.  Williams  died  on  the  21st 
of  August,  1838,  at  his  residence  in  Westpenns- 
borough  Township. 

The  following  extracts  from  two  obituaries  of  him 
which  were  published  will  serve  to  give  some  idea  of 
his  history  and  character.  We  most  sincerely  regret 
that  we  have  not  been  able  to  furnish  an  equally  full 
and  satisfactory  account  of  his  worthy  predecessors. 

*  See  Appendix  I. 
5* 


54       CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

"Dr.  AYilliams  had  not  the  advantage  of  entering 
at  an  early  age  on  a  course  of  studies  preparatory  to 
the  ministry.  He  was  graduated  at  Dickinson  Col- 
lege, in  the  year  1795,  then  under  the  presidency  of 
Dr.  Nesbit.  His  theological  studies  were  pursued 
chiefly  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Robert  Cooper. 
In  the  year  1798,  in  the  thirtieth  year  of  his  age,  he 
was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Carlisle.  The  year  following,  he  received  a  call 
from  the  United  Congregations  of  Derry  and  Paxton, 
which  he  accepted,  and  was  ordained  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  and  installed  pastor  of  said  charge,  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  in  the  autumn  of  the 
same  year.  After  having  served  the  people  of  this, 
his  first  charge,  for  about  four  years,  he  received  a 
call  from  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Big  Spring, 
left  vacant  by  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Wilson, 
which  he  judged  it  to  be  his  duty  to  accept;  and  accor- 
dingly he  gave  up  the  charge  of  his  former  congre- 
gations, and  was  installed  pastor  of  the  latter  in  the 
year  1802.  Under  the  labours  of  a  prolonged  pas- 
torate, his  general  health  declined,  and  a  complication 
of  infirmities  reduced  his  phj^sical  strength.  His 
nervous  system,  especially,  became  disordered,  and 
as  a  consequence,  he  often  suifered  great  mental 
depression.  A  year  or  two  previous  to  his  release 
from  his  pastoral  charge,  under  the  impression  that 
he  was  unable  to  perform,  as  they  should  be  done, 
the  duties  of  a  pastor,  he  proposed  resigning  his 
charge.      But    the    congregation   earnestly    remon- 


BIG     SPRING     CHURCH.  55 

strated  against  liis  doing  so,  and  assured  him  of 
their  being  well  satisfied  with  such  services  as  his 
feeble  state  of  health  permitted  him  to  render.  About 
the  year  1829,  at  his  earnest  request,  the  pastoral 
relation  between  him  and  the  congregation  of  Big 
Spring  was  dissolved.  From  the  day  of  his  instal- 
lation till  his  resignation,  he  lived  and  laboured 
among  his  people  with  uninterrupted  harmony  and 
c-rowino;  interest. 

"After  retiring  from  his  pastoral  charge,  Dr. 
"Williams  did  not  at  all  abandon  the  duties  of  his 
office  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  but  continued,  as 
his  health  permitted  and  opportunity  was  afforded, 
serving  vacant  congregations  in  the  bounds  of  the 
Presbytery,  and  frequently  assisting  his  brethren  on 
special  occasions.  In  these  labours  of  love  he  seemed 
to  take  great  interest,  often  crossing  mountains  and 
riding  to  a  distance  into  neighbouring  counties,  to 
preach  the  Gospel  to  the  destitute.  Dr.  Williams's 
last  illness  was  only  of  about  four  days'  continuance. 
lie  had  at  various  times  expressed  his  fears  of  the 
dying  struggle;  but  in  his  own  case  death  seemed 
wholly  disarmed  of  all  his  terrors.  His  end  was 
peaceful,  without  a  disturbed  feature.  On  the  morn- 
ing of  the  21st  of  August,  1838,  he  seemed  literally 
to  fall  asleep  in  Jesus.  The  next  day  a  very  large 
concourse  of  persons  (most  of  whom  had  been  for- 
merly the  people  of  his  charge),  together  with  eight 
or  ten  ministers,  attended  the  funeral,  and  testified 
their  very  great  regard  for  him,  whom  they  had  so 


56  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

much  reason  to  love  and  to  venerate.  His  remains 
were  deposited  in  the  Big  Spring  Churchyard,  nearly 
in  view  from  the  sacred  desk  where  he  had  so  long 
preached  to  that  people  the  Gospel  of  God,  which 
brings  life  and  immortality  to  light. 

"In  the  death  of  Dr.  Williams,  the  Church  lost 
an  able  and  faithful  advocate  of  the  trufrh.  His  re- 
tired situation  and  unobtrusive  disposition  were,  no 
doubt,  the  occasion  of  his  being  less  publicly  known 
than  he  justly  merited.  His  talents  and  attainments 
as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  were  such  as  always  to 
command  the  highest  respect  from  all  who  knew  him. 
He  was  naturally  possessed  of  strong  and  vigorous 
intellectual  powers.  His  judgment  was  sound  and 
discriminating.  He  had  a  remarkable  taste  and  ap- 
titude for  metaphysical  discussions,  which,  however, 
never  seem  to  have  led  him  into  erroneous  specula- 
tions on  the  doctrines  of  religion. 

"  As  a  steward  of  the  mysteries  of  God,  Dr.  Wil- 
liams was  well  instructed,  and  furnished  for  every 
good  work,  above  most  others  in  the  sacred  office. 
His  mind  was  richly  stored  with  theological  know- 
ledge :  with  every  part  of  Scripture  he  seemed  fami- 
liar, and  could  quote  any  passage  to  which  he  wished 
to  refer,  with  great  readiness  and  accuracy.  He 
employed  much  of  his  time  in  reading  instructive 
authors,  and  always  with  a  view  to  the  furnishing  of 
his  mind  the  more  thoroughly,  for  the  duties  of  his 
office,  and  for  his  own  personal  edification. 

"  As  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel,  Dr.  W.  was  grave 


BIG    SPKING     CHURCH.  57 

and  solemn  in  liis  manner,  and  highly  instructive  in 
his  discourses.  His  usual  method  in  his  sermons  was 
to  explain  his  text,  if  it  needed  explanation,  then 
state  the  subject,  or  doctrine  illustrated,  and  confirm 
this  by  Scripture  and  argument.  And  to  make  the 
truth  bear  upon  the  hearts  of  his  audience,  his  first 
object  was  to  instruct,  then  to  persuade ;  believing 
that  truth  is  in  order  to  righteousness,  and  that  there 
can  be  no  correct  Christian  practice,  till  the  mind  be 
enlightened,  and  the  heart  sanctified  through  the 
truth  of  the  Word  of  God. 

"In  his  manners  and  conversation,  this  excellent 
man  was  courteous  and  affable,  yet  always  dignified. 
He  was  truly  a  lover  of  hospitality.  It  gave  him 
great  pleasure  to  have  his  brethren  in  the  ministry 
visit  him.  Nor  were  such  occasions  suffered  to  pass 
without  improvement.  Very  few  men,  we  are  as- 
sured, ever  possessed,  in  the  same  degree  with  Dr. 
W.,  the  happy  faculty  of  communicating  solid  instruc- 
tion in  social  conversations.  Some  useful  subject 
was  always  introduced,  and  discussed  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  be  at  once  interesting  and  instructive.  The 
great  doctrines  of  the  Cross,  which  he  professed  to 
believe,  and  which  he  preached,  were  not  held  by 
him  as  mere  theoretical  subjects,  without  a  salutary 
and  practical  influence  on  his  own  heart.  It  was 
seldom,  except  to  very  intimate  friends,  that  he  would 
freely  unfold  his  religious  experience,  but  then  it  was 
manifest  that  his  mind  was  deeply  imbued  with  the 
precious  truths  of  the  Gospel,  that  he  had  felt  in- 


58  CIIUIICHES     OF    THE    VALLEY. 

tensely  the  power  of  that  Word  of  God  which  he 
preached  to  others.  But  he  has  fought  a  good  fight; 
he  has  finished  his  course,  he  has  kept  the  faith,  and 
now  we  confidently  trust  he  is  in  possession  of  that 
Crown  of  Righteousness  which  the  Lord,  the  right- 
eous Judge,  will  give  to  all  them  that  love  his  ap- 
pearing." 

Soon  after  the  withdrawment  of  Dr.  Williams  from 
the  church  at  Big  Spring  (1830),  the  Rev.  Robert 
McCachren,  a  native  of  Chester  County,  and  a  licen- 
tiate of  the  Presbytery  of  Newcastle,  was  called  to 
be  its  pastor.  This  call  he  accepted,  and  in  this  re- 
lation he  continued  until  it  was  resigned  in  October, 
1851.  Mr.  McCachren's  labours  among  that  people 
were  not  without  encouraging  success.  The  number 
of  members  added  to  the  congregation  during  his 
connexion  with  it,  was  four  hundred  and  eighty-five. 
During  the  second  year  of  his  ministry  the  church 
was  favoured  with  a  season  of  the  revival  of  religion, 
which  resulted  in  an  accession  of  seventy-three  to 
the  list  of  communicants.  Some  of  the  precious 
fruits  of  that  awakening  remain  there  to  this  day. 
Mr.  McCachren  since  his  resignation  has  not  ac- 
cepted of  another  charge,  but  still  resides  in  New- 
ville,  and  has  the  supervision  of  a  classical  academy 
of  that  place. 

From  him  we  have  learned  that  the  earliest  elders 
of  Big  Spring,  now  known,  were,  John  Carson,  John 
McKeehan,  John  Bell,  David  Ralston,  Sr.,  Thomas 
Jacobs,  Alexander  Thompson,  William  Lindsay,  At- 


BIG     SPRING     CHURCH.  59 

cheson  Lauglilin,  all  of  whom  served  under  the  mhi- 
istry  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Wilson,  and  some  of  them 
part  of  the  time  of  his  successor.  The  session  at 
present  consists  of  the  following  members :  Robert 
McElwain,  "William  Ker,  Samuel  Davidson,  James 
Mcllhenny,  William  Green,  James  Fulton,  Samuel 
McKeehan. 

It  is  with  Newville,  as  with  other  localities  in  Cum- 
berland Valley — in  gazing  upon  it  the  mind  is  filled 
with  amazement  at  the  mighty  change  which  has 
taken  place.  The  time  is  almost  within  the  memory 
of  some  wdio  live,  when  the  dark  shadows  of  the 
gloomy  forest  fell  upon  all  that  region,  and  the 
savaoje  Indian  roamed  over  the  surroundino;  hills  and 
valleys  ;  but  now  the  eye  is  there  called  to  survey  a 
thriving  village  in  which  there  are  three  churches 
for  the  worship  of  God,  the  circumjacent  country 
highly  cultivated  and  thickly  inhabited,  with  a  moral 
and  religious  population,  the  rushing  railcar  bearing 
the  traveller  along  with  dizzying  speed,  and  the 
quiet  magnetic  wires  annihilating  both  time  and 
space  with  the  electric  celerity  of  their  communica- 
tion. 

The  first  church  erected  at  Big  Spring,  stood  in 
the  graveyard  now  in  use  by  the  congregation,  within 
a  few  rods  of  the  present  building,  and  was  erected 
about  the  year  1738.  From  all  the  information  we 
can  obtain  in  regard  to  it,  it  was  a  plain  log  building, 
such  as  we  have  described  as  being  the  first  places 
of  worship  for  several  of  the  surrounding   congre- 


60  ciiuRciiES   or   THE   valley. 

gations,  and  like  them  it  had  a  "study"  attached  to 
it.  It  seems  to  have  been  the  opinion  of  our  fathers 
that  the  minister  of  the  sanctuary,  should  have  some 
place  near  to  it,  from  which,  at  least,  he  could  come 
forth  into  the  pulpit  with  his  mind  undistracted  by 
conversation  with  the  members  of  his  flock,  and  his 
heart  elevated  by  its  communing  with  heaven.  And 
we  are  free  to  acknowledge  that  we  have  no  disposi- 
tion to  differ  from  this  idea.  Surely  such  an  arrange- 
ment much  better  comports  with  the  sacredness  and 
effectiveness  of  the  service  to  be  performed,  than 
does  that  which  now  so  generally  prevails. 

At  what  time  precisely  the  present  edifice  at  Big 
Spring  was  erected,  we  are  not  able  to  say,  but  it  was 
in  all  probability  during  the  early  part  of  the  minis- 
try of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson.  Until  the  year  1842,  it 
was  a  plain  stone  building,  having  three  doors,  with 
the  pulpit  on  the  north  side,  and  pews  with  high 
straight  backs,  and,  on  the  whole,  indicating  far 
more  regard  for  the  essential  than  the  comfortable 
and  the  ornamental;  but  at  that  time  it  was  remodelled 
in  modern  style,  and  now  ranks  with  the  handsomest 
churches  in  the  Presbytery.  It  is  capable  of  accom- 
modating about  six  hundred  persons.  The  site  which 
it  occupies,  a  few  rods  northward  from  the  town,  is  a 
most  eligible  one,  and  from  it  there  is  a  beautiful 
view  of  the  surrounding  neighbourhood.  Back  of  it, 
at  a  short  distance,  rolls  gently  along  the  clear  and 
lovely  stream  from  which  it  has  received  its  name, 
and  which  for  ages  has  been  flowing  on,  apparently 


BIG     SPRING     ClIURCII.  Gl 

the  same,  whilst  the  crowds  that  have  weekly  been 
gathering  on  its  brink,  have,  one  after  another,  lain 
down  within  the  sound  of  its  murmurs,  to  sleep  the 
sleep  that  knows  no  waking  till  the  resurrection 
trumpet  shall  utter  its  voice. 

Let  us  now  take  a  view  of  the  burial-place  at  Big 
Spring.  A  graveyard  is  always  a  solemn  and  inte- 
resting spot,  whether  we  find  it  in  the  heart  of  a  bus- 
tling and  noisy  city,  where  the  present  too  much  over- 
powers both  the  past  and  the  future,  or  in  the  deep 
bosom  of  the  country,  where  unbroken  stillness  reigns 
around,  subduing  the  heart  for  the  touching  but 
wholesome  lesson  which  it  ought  to  learn,  as  the  eye 
is  fixed  upon  the  resting-place  of  the  dead.  "While 
we  cannot,"  says  one,  "  subscribe  to  the  doctrine  of 
Chateaubriand,  that  the  existence  of  graveyards,  and 
our  veneration  for  tombs,"  are  convincing  arguments 
for  the  truth  of  Christianity,  we  own  that  the  in- 
fluence emanating  from  the  place  of  sepulture  is  by 
no  means  small;  that  the  solemn  shades  of  the  burial- 
ground  are  congenial  with  a  certain  class  of  emotions 
which  are  natural  to  the  human  breast,  and  that  there 
are  voices  thence  which  speak  in  impressive  tones, 
for  they  seem  to  come  from  the  ver}^  borders  .of  the 
spirit-land.  Hence  the  interest  which  some  minds 
take  in  consecrated  grounds,  in  God's  acre,  as  the 
burial-place  has  been  sentcntiously  termed.  Of  those 
who  have  committed  a  friend  to  the  last  repose,  there 
are  few  indeed  who  have  not  a  secret  sympatliy  for 
the  spirit  of  the  place."    Many,  very  many  there  are 

6 


62  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

who  have  "  committed  a  friend"  to  the  cemetery  at 
Big  Spring  ;  for  its  enclosure,  though  large,  is  well 
filled  with  graves,  and  many  more,  doubtless,  have  been 
buried  there,  the  visible  evidence  of  whose  sepulture 
has,  under  the  wasting  influence  of  time,  entirely  dis- 
appeared. Among  the  many  graves  which  specially 
interested  us  in  a  brief  visit  to  this  consecrated  spot, 
we  have  only  space  to  refer  to  those  of  the  two  former 
pastors  of  the  Church,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson  and 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Williams,  over  each  of  which  there  is  a 
befitting  marble  slab.  It  may  be  pardonable,  per- 
haps, for  us  to  add,  that  a  peculiar  solemnity  fell 
upon  our  spirit,  as  the  inscription,  "  In  memory  of 
Paul  Pierce,  who  departed  this  life,  June  7th,  1794, 
aged  78  years,"  reminded  us  of  a  great-grandfather, 
who  sleeps  in  the  tomb  by  the  side  of  which  we 
stood. 

On  the  whole,  we  would  say,  that  the  graveyard  of 
the  congregation  of  Big  Spring,  is  kept  in  such  a 
condition  as  reflects  credit  upon  those  who  have 
charge  of  it.  The  time  has  happily  passed  away  in 
which  burial-places  were  too  generally  regarded  with 
great  indifi"erence,  except  to  protect  them  from  the 
depredations  of  prowling  animals  ;  and  now  it  is  gra- 
tifying to  every  person  of  good  taste  and  correct 
feelings,  to  find  in  every  direction,  instead  of  tall, 
luxuriant  grass,  and  crumbling  tombstones,  and 
sinking  graves,  cemeteries  so  neatly  kept  as  at  once 
to  indicate  the  afi'ection  that  is  cherished  for  the 
mortal  remains  which  they  contain,  and  to  make  them 
attractive  as  places  of  profitable  meditation. 


63 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CHURCH    AT    silvers'     SPRING. 

The  cliurch  at  Silvers'  Spring  was  first  known  as 
"the  people  over  the  Susquehanna."  Afterwards 
(1736),  as  connected  with  the  congregation  at  Car- 
lisle (then  called,  as  it  would  seem,  the  "  Congrega- 
tion of  Conodoguinett,")  it  was  known  as  the  "Lower 
part  of  the  settlement  of  Conodoguinett."  Still  later 
(1739),  we  find  it  designated  as  "Lower  Pennsbo- 
rough."  The  name  which  it  now  bears  was  received  at 
an  early  date,  and  is  to  be  accounted  for  by  the  fact, 
that  the  land  around  the  stream  near  which  the 
church  edifice  stands,  was  originally  owned  by  Mr. 
Silvers,  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  that  region  of 
country. 

The  gospel  was  first  preached  to  this  congregation 
by  the  Rev.  Alexander  Craighead,  by  appointment 
of  Presbytery,  in  1734,  and  for  several  years  follow- 
ing they  were  supplied  occasionally  by  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Bartram,  Thomas  Craighead,  Golston,  and 
Thompson. 

In  the  year  1739,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Thompson  was 
installed  as  pastor  of  this  church,  in  connexion  with 


64  CHURCHES     OF    THE    VALLEY. 

the  church  at  Carlisle  (or  "Pennsborough,"  as  it  was 
then  called),  as  the  following  extract  from  the  records 
of  Presbytery  will  show. 

"Pennsboro',  Nov.  14th,  1739. 

"  Mr.  Anderson,  at  the  meeting-house  door,  gave 
publick  advertisement  that  if  any  could  advance  any 
lawful  objection  against  Mr.  Samuel  Thompson  being 
set  apart  to  the  work  of  the  holy  ministry,  to  both 
societies  in  this  place,  and  no  objection  appearing, 
Mr.  Craighead  delivered  a  sermon  from  Ezek.  33,  6, 
and  presided  in  the  work  of  ordination.  Accordingly, 
Mr.  Samuel  Thompson  was  set  apart  to  the  work  of 
the  sacred  ministry  by  the  imposition  of  hands,  &c." 

Previously  to  this  time,  Mr.  Thompson  seems  to 
have  laboured  for  a  season  among  "the  people  of 
Conococheague,"  for  at  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Presbytery  after  the  installation  just  referred  to, 
"Richard  0.  Cahan,  Joseph  Armstrong,  Benjamin 
Chambers,  and  Patrick  Jack,  publicly  engaged  to 
pay  to  Mr.  Samuel  Thompson  the  sum  of  one  pound 
five  shillings,  at  or  before  next  meeting  of  Presbytery, 
as  being  the  whole  of  arrears  due  him  by  the  people 
of  Canigagig."  It  is  highly  probable,  also,  that  he 
officiated  for  some  time  at  Pennsborough  before  he 
became  pastor.  This,  the  following  extract  from  the 
Presbyterial  records,  before  his  installation  at  that 
place  is  noticed,  will  serve  to  show,  as  Avell  as  give 
some  idea  of  the  spirit  of  the  times. 

"  The  Synod,  last  May,  having  received  and  read  a 
letter  directed  to  one  Alexander   McKee,  subscribed 


C  H  U  K  0  H     AT     silvers'     SPRING.  65 

by  Mr.  Samuel  Thompson,  containing  some  things 
which  were  very  offensive  to  the  Honourable  Pro- 
prietor, the  Synod  also  have  condemned  said  letter, 
and  remitted  the  further  consideration  thereof,  and 
what  censure  should  be  inflicted  upon  Mr.  Thompson 
on  account  of  writing  said  letter,  to  this  Presbytery. 
Mr.  Thompson  being  now  present,  the  Presbytery 
took  the  affaire  into  consideration,  and  accordingly, 
Mr.  Thompson  being  called  in,  Avith  several  of  the 
People  of  Pennsboro',  he  also  giving  a  short  narrative 
of  the  Matter,  did  acknowledge  his  imprudence  and 
inadvertency  in  writing  said  letter,  tho'  it  was  designed 
to  signify  not  his  own  thoughts,  but  the  thoughts  of 
the  People,  and  expecting  that  the  said  letter  would 
never  go  any  further  than  Alex.  McKee,  to  whom  it 
was  directed.  Commissioners  also  from  the  People 
of  Pennsboro'  gave  in  a  supplication,  wherein  they 
took  the  whole  blame  of  said  letter  on  themselves, 
and  declared  they  were  provoked  thereunto  by  their 
being  credibly  informed  that  some  in  authority  had 
threatened  to  order  a  constable  to  pull  Mr.  Thompson 
out  of  the  pulpit  on  the  Sabbath-day,  and  drag  him 
at  an  horsetail  to  Newtown.  The  Presbytery  ordered 
that  the  Minutes  of  Synod  be  read,  and  finding  that 
neither  Mr.  Thompson's  letter  nor  the  Synod's  order 
in  relation  thereunto,  are  come  to  our  hands,  the 
Presbytery  conclude  that  at  present  we  can  go  no 
further  than  only  accept  of  Mr.  Thompson's  acknow- 
ledgment which  he  hath  already  made,  and  sharply 
reprove  said  people  for  constraining  him  to  write  said 


66  CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

letter.  This  conclusion  unanimously  agreed  to,  and 
Mr.  Anderson  appointed  to  rebuke  said  people." 

On  account  of  "  bodily  weakness,"  Mr.  Thompson 
was,  at  his  own  request,  dismissed  from  "Lower 
Pennsborough,"  in  the  year  1745,  the  Presbytery 
at  the  same  time  "  recommending  to  him  to  be  gene- 
rous and  industrious  in  preaching  to  the  congregation, 
either  on  Sabbath-days  or  week-days,  according  to 
his  conveniency  and  their  necessity."  In  1747, 
"  for  several  reasons,  but  chiefly  because  of  unhappy 
jealousies,  on  account  of  which  he  doubted  he  could 
not  be  farther  useful  in  the  congregation,"  he  sought 
a  dismission  from  "  Upper  Pennsborough,"  and  in  his 
desire  the  people,  by  their  representatives,  concurred. 

After  leaving  this  charge,  Mr.  Thompson  settled 
at  "  Great  Conewago,"  where  he  laboured  until  1779, 
when,  "  on  account  of  his  infirmities  by  old  age, 
which  disqualified  him  for  performing  the  duties  of  a 
pastor  to  his  people,"  he  requested  Presbytery  to 
dissolve  the  relation  between  them.  In  this  request 
the  congregation  acquiesced,  and  it  was  granted. 
This  acquiescence,  however,  was  not  that  cold  and 
thankless  one  which  too  often  is  signified  when  an 
aged  servant  of  the  Lord,  who  has  laboured  among  a 
people  for  many  years, — perhaps  the  greater  part  of 
his  life, — watching  over  their  spiritual  interests  with 
deep  concern  and  earnest  efi'ort,  and  all  the  time 
receiving  a  bare  subsistence  for  himself  and  family, 
has  at  length,  with  worn-out  powers,  to  retire  from 
his  post,  and  is  permitted  to  do  so  without  any  pro- 


CHURCH   AT   silvers'   spring.         67 

vision  by  his  Hock  for  his  future  maintenance  and 
comfort.  The  people  of  "  Great  Conewago,"  to 
their  credit  be  it  known, — if  credit  can  be  awarded 
where  only  duty  is  done, — "  afforded  a  gratuity  for 
the  support  of  Mr.  Thompson,  to  his  satisfaction." 

And  thus,  we  have  not  the  least  hesitation  in  say- 
ing, it  ought  in  every  case  to  be.  There  is  no  class 
of  men  who,  in  view  of  the  expense  connected  with 
their  education,  and  the  frequent  demands  upon  their 
liberality,  and  the  amount  of  their  labours,  are  so 
meagerly  compensated  as  the  ministers  of  the  gospel ; 
and  therefore,  though  it  is  true  that  they  are  to  look 
for  their  reward  in  the  world  above,  and  ought  to 
guard  against  every  temptation  to  feel  "  at  home  in 
the  body,"  yet  is  it  at  the  same  time  a  sad  reproach 
to  any  congregation,  and  sorry  evidence  that  God's 
word  has  wrought  in  them  as  it  ought,  that,  when  a 
pastor's  tears  for  long  years  have  fallen  for  them, 
and  his  prayers  ascended  in  their  behalf,  and  theirs 
have  been  his  friendly  counsels  and  indefatigable 
toils,  he  is,  under  the  decrepitude  of  a  life  soon  to 
end,  cast  off  with  indifference,  to  suffer,  perhaps, 
from  want,  which  he  has  too  much  delicacy  to  make 
known,  and  to  die  with  the  prospect  of  destitution 
for  his  family,  and  with  an  exhibition  of  ingratitude, 
in  the  very  scene  of  his  loved  labours. 

In  relation  to  this  subject,  we  avail  ourselves  of 
an  extract  from  an  editorial  article  in  "  The  Presby- 
terian" of  July  17th,  1852,  which  refers  to  the 
Corporation  for  the  "relief  of  poor  and  distressed 


68       CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

Presbyterian  ministers,  and  of  the  poor  and  dis- 
tressed widows  and  children  of  Presbyterian  minis- 
ters." This  article,  which  is  exactly  suited  to  our 
purpose,  came  under  our  notice  after  our  views  of 
the  neglect  of  the  duty  in  question  had  been  penned. 

"  The  Corporation  offers  to  secure  to  applicants, 
1.  A  stipulated  annuity,  payable  to  the  widow  or 
children  of  a  minister  after  his  death ;  2.  A  stipu- 
lated sum,  payable  to  the  legal  representatives  of  a 
minister  on  his  decease ;  and,  3.  A  stipulated  annuity 
for  a  minister  in  the  decline  of  his  life,  to  commence 
either  at  60  or  Qb  years  of  age. 

"  The  various  provisions  offered  may  be  secured  in 
either  of  four  ways.  1.  By  the  payment  of  a  sum 
of  money  at  one  time.  2.  By  the  payment  of  an 
annual  premium  on  the  22d  of  May,  during  the  life 
of  the  minister.  3.  By  the  deposit  of  such  a  sum 
as,  if  put  to  interest  at  5  per  cent.,  would  annually 
produce  the  amount  of  the  annual  premium,  the 
deposit  to  remain  during  the  minister's  life.  4.  By 
the  deposit  of  a  similar  sum,  to  remain  for  ever  in 
the  hands  of  the  Corporation,  for  the  benefit  of  a 
succession  of  ministers. 

"  Many  ministers  who  would  not  be  able  to  depo- 
sit at  one  time  the  amount  necessary  to  secure  the 
payment  of  an  annuity,  might  perhaps  save  enough 
to  pay  the  annual  premium.  But  a  far  better  way, 
in  most  cases,  would  be  for  churches  and  congrega- 
tions to  take  upon  themselves  the  expense  of  such  a 
provision  for  their  pastor's  family.     A  deposit  might 


CHURCH   AT   silvers'   spring.         69 

be  made,  Avliicli  avouU  entitle  every  successive  pastor, 
of  the  church  making  it,  to  share  its  benefits,  or  the 
amount  necessary  to  meet  the  annual  premium  could 
easily  be  raised  by  any  energetic  person  in  the  con- 
gregation who  would  undertake  it.  Such  evidences 
of  affection  by  a  congregation  for  their  minister  could 
not  but  have  a  happy  effect. 

*'  The  late  venerable  Dr.  Alexander,  in  a  letter 
written  near  the  close  of  his  life,  made  some  valuable 
suggestions  on  this  subject.  With  regard  to  se- 
curing the  provision  payable  after  the  minister's 
death,  he  says :  ^  Some  two  or  three  of  the  most 
active  ladies  in  the  congregation  should  be  engaged 
to  raise,  annually,  small  subscriptions  from  females, 
sufficient  to  pay  the  annual  premium,  or  if  they  pre- 
ferred to  raise  a  sum  equal  in  value  to  the  annual 
payment,  this  should  be  encouraged  as  less  trouble- 
some, and  as  safer  for  the  Corporation.'  The  sum 
necessary  to  secure  a  deferred  annuity  to  the  minis- 
ter himself,  in  advanced  age,  he  suggests,  should 
engage  the  attention  of  the  young  men." 

We  may  add  that  the  conditions  of  the  Corpora- 
tion have  been  so  extended,  as  to  include  not  only 
New  and  Old  School  Presbyterians,  but  the  German 
Reformed,  lleformed  Dutch,  Associate  lleformed. 
Associate  and  Reformed  Presbyterian,  or  Cumber- 
land denominations. 

To  resume  our  narrative :  In  the  year  1745,  the 
Rev.  Samuel  Caven  was  called  to  "  Lower  Penns- 
borough,"  and  continued  to  be  its  pastor,   until  his 


70  CHURCnES     OF    THE    VALLEY. 

death,  which  took  place,  as  the  inscription  on  his 
gravestone  in  that  burial-ground  shows,  Nov.  9th, 
1750,  in  the  49th  year  of  his  age. 

In  April,  1764,  the  congregations  of  Carlisle  and 
East  Pcnnsborough  united  in  a  call  to  the  Rev.  John 
Steel,  agr.eeing  to  enjoj  each  an  equal  proportion  of 
his  labours,  and  promising  him  X150  annually  for 
his  support.  This  call  has  been  kindly  placed  in  our 
hands  by  Mrs.  Givin,  a  granddaughter  of  Mr.  Steel, 
who  is  still  living  in  Papertown,  Cumberland  County, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-five  years.  In  the 
letter  in  which  it  was  forwarded  to  us,  and  which  was 
written  by  her  son,  it  is  stated  that  Mr.  Steel's  papers 
were  destroyed  by  fire  many  years  ago.  From  the 
call,  which  we  publish  as  interesting  for  its  antiquity, 
it  will  be  seen  by  those  who  are  familiar  with  the  lo- 
cality from  which  it  came,  that  many  of  the  descen- 
dants of  its  signers  still  reside  where  their  fathers 
did.*  Mr.  Steel  died  in  August,  1779.  Three  years 
afterwards,  "  a  call  from  the  united  congregations  of 
East  Pcnnsborough  and  Monaghan  was  presented  to 
Mr.  Samuel  Waugh,  together  with  bonds  for  the  an- 
nual salary  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  and  also 
for  a  gratuity  of  seventy-five  pounds  from  each  con- 
gregation, that  from  East  Pcnnsborough  to  be  paid  in 
one  month  after  his  instalment,  and  that  from  Mona- 
ghan, within  three  years."  This  call  was  accepted  by 
Mr.  Waugh,  and  he  continued  to  be  pastor  of 
the  charge  until  his  death  in  January,  1807.  The 
following  brief  but  comprehensive  delineation  of  his 

*  See  Appendix  II. 


CUUIICII     AT    silvers'     SPRING.  71 

character,  by  Judge  Clendenin,  we  arc  happy  to  in- 
sert :  "  Mr.  Waugh  was  a  sound  divine,  a  very  accep- 
table preacher,  and  highly  esteemed  by  his  people. 
After  I  became  a  member  of  his  church,  I  was  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  him,  and  as  far  as  my  ac- 
quaintance extended,  I  can  say  of  him  that  he  was 
an  Israelite  in  whom  was  no  guile." 

We  also  give  with  pleasure  the  subjoined  extracts 
from  a  letter,  in  relation  to  Mr.  AVaugh,  with  which 
we  have  been  favoured  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Eliza 
W.  Burd,  now  a  resident  of  Bedford,  Pa. 

*'My  father  was  a  native  of  Carrol's  Tract,  in 
Adams  County.  On  April  14th,  1783,  he  was  joined 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Eliza  Hoge,  daughter  of  David 
Hoge,  Esq.,  a  highly  respectable  and  influential  man, 
from  whom  the  place  called  Ilogestown,  within  one 
mile  of  Silvers'  Spring  Church,  derived  its  name, 
years  before  it  became  a  village,  by  reason  of  the 
fact  that  he  and  his  connexions  resided  there,  as  pro- 
prietors of  a  large  body  of  land.  He  accepted  the 
pastorate  of  the  congregation  in  1782." 

"  The  Lower  Settlement,  as  it  was  then  called,  was 
emphatically  a  settlement  of  substantial  people,  who 
required  preaching  in  the  English  language,  and  ac- 
cording to  the  Presbyterian  form  and  faith.  The 
sects  which  now  exist  in  that  region  were  unheard 
of  at  that  time.  A  German  Reformed  Church, 
which  I  think  still  stands  at  Trindle's  Spring,  and  in 
which  there  was  preaching  in  German,  was  the  only 
place  of  worship  in  all  that  region,  out  of  the  Pres- 


72  CHURCHES     OP    THE     VALLEY. 

bytcrian  communion.  At  Harrisburg,  my  impres- 
sion is,  there  was  no  settled  minister  for  a  long  time, 
or  if  there  was,  the  Susquehanna  was  in  the  way, 
which  it  was  not  at  all  times  safe  to  cross  in  ferry- 
boats, so  that  from  Middlesex,  within  three  miles  of 
Carlisle,  to  several  miles  below  Harrisburg,  the 
people  attended  at  Silvers'  Spring,  as  they  did,  also, 
from  an  equal  distance  north  and  south. 

"  I  can  in  truth  say,  and  it  is  but  justice  to  do  so, 
that  my  father  was  a  very  amiable  and  sensible  man. 
He  moved  amongst  the  people  as  a  father  in  his 
family,  and  from  his  mild  and  prudent  course  had 
great  influence.  In  the  training  of  his  family  he  was 
very  faithful,  teaching  us  the  great  rule  and  aim  of 
life,  making  us  familiar  with  the  doctrinal  standards 
of  the  Church,  requiring  the  rigid  observance  of  the 
Sabbath,  and  giving  force  to  all  his  counsels  and 
efforts,  by  his  unostentatious,  steady,  upright  daily 
walk  and  his  daily  prayer. 

"  As  to  his  pastoral  labours.  Silvers'  Spring  and 
Monaghan  (now  Dillsburg)  had  an  equal  portion 
of  them.  System  and  punctuality  were  with  him 
cardinal  points.  Never  did  he  once  disappoint 
the  people,  for  any  cause,  within  my  recollection. 
In  season  and  out  of  season  he  met  his  engagements. 
His  custom  was  to  catechise  at  regular  periods, 
throughout  his  charge,  and  not  the  children  only,  but 
also  the  heads  of  families — households.  This  was  done 
by  announcing  from  the  pulpit  certain  days  in  the 
week,  to  meet  those  of  a  particular  district,  at  a  place 


CHURCH  AT  silvers'  SPRING.     73 

named,  and  so  he  continued  from  -week  to  week  until 
the  whole  congregation  was  visited,  and  instructed  in 
a  pastoral  way.  Ilis  house  was  ever  open  to  the 
visitation  of  his  people,  and  on  communion  seasons 
four  days  were  always  set  apart  for  religious  services, 
during  which  the  aged,  or  infirm,  or  distant  members 
of  the  congregation,  were  his  guests,  according  to 
their  pleasure. 

"  My  father's  last  sickness,  which  was  from  pleurisy, 
was  but  of  six  days'  continuance.  He  was  not  well  on 
Monday ;  on  Thursday  he  married  a  couple  in  his 
own  room,  and  on  Saturday  morning  he  died.  A 
little  while  before  he  breathed  his  last  (my  brother 
Samuel  having  been  sent  for  the  physician,  and  not 
yet  returned),  he  had  his  other  children  brought  to 
his  bedside,  of  whom  my  sister  and  myself  were  the 
oldest  present.  He  looked  upon  us  all,  and  said, 
"My  poor  girls!" — paused,  and  then  asked,  "What 
is  the  chief  end  of  man?"  This  question  I  answered, 
in  the  words  of  my  catechism,  "To  glorify  God,  and 
enjoy  him  for  ever."  After  this,  not  another  word 
was  spoken  by  him  ;  he  closed  his  eyes,  and  soon 
calmly  and  peacefully  expired.  At  the  time,  I  did 
not  feel  that  much  had  been  said  to  me  as  I  stood 
by  the  bedside  of  a  dying  father,  as  I  had  so  often 
been  asked,  and  answered  that  question  before.  Very 
different,  however,  has  been  my  view,  under  a  riper 
judgment  and  experience.  A  volume  could  not  have 
embodied  more.  In  no  way  could  the  momentous 
consequence     of  that  weighty  question    have    been 


74       CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

presented,  so  as  to  secure  for  it  a  more  abiding  re- 
membrance and  a  deeper  lodgment  in  the  soul."^ 

The  Rev.  John  Hajes"^  was  Mr.  \Yaugh's  successor 
in  the  charge  vacated  by  his  decease.  This  con- 
nexion was  formed  in  1808,  and  dissolved  by  resig- 
nation in  1814. 

After  Mr.  Hayes's  resignation,  the  Rev.  Henry 
R.  "Wilson  became  pastor  of  the  church  at  Silvers' 
Spring,  with  the  promise  of  a  salary  of  §700,  and 
made  this  the  field  of  his  labour  until  his  acceptance 
of  the  call  of  the  congregation  in  Shippensburg, 
in  1823. 

The  Rev.  James  Williamson,  who  followed  Mr. 
Wilson  in  this  relation,  in  1824,  resigned  it  in  1838. 

We  are  thus  brought  down  to  the  time  of  the 
settlement  of  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  George 
Morris.  Mr.  Morris,  who  was  "  a  foreign  licentiate, 
under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia," 
was  called  and  installed  in  1839. 

The  present  church  at  Silvers'  Spring,  which  is  a 
substantial  stone  building,  58  by  45  feet,  was  erected 
in  the  year  1783,  during  the  incumbency  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Waugh.  The  warrant  for  the  land  on  which  it 
stands  was  granted  in  1770.  The  congregation  was 
incorporated  by  an  act  of  Assembly,  September  25th, 
1786,  and  the  Trustees  named  in  that  act  of  incorpo- 
ration are, — Andrew  Galbreath,  Samuel  Wallace, 
Daniel  Boyd,  John  Wather,  Hugh  Laird,  Samuel 
Waugh,  William  Mateer,  Francis  Silvers,  and  David 

*  For  some  time  a  Professor  in  Dickinson  College. 


CHURCH   AT   silvers'    spring.         75 

Hoge.  A  neat  and  comfortable  parsonage  has  re- 
cently been  erected  by  the  congregation. 

The  church  edifice  which  preceded  the  present  one, 
and  -which  was  the  first  meeting-house  at  Silvers' 
Spring,  was,  we  have  been  informed  by  one  who 
learned  it  from  his  grand-parents,  a  small  log  build- 
ing, near  the  place  where  the  present  house  stands. 
No  record  of  the  building  of  that  house,  or  of  the 
organization  of  a  church  in  it,  can  be  found ;  and,  as 
the  members  of  the  congregation  at  that  time  are,  of 
course,  all  dead  and  gone,  it  is  impossible  to  tell 
with  certainty  when  these  things  were  done.  It  is, 
however,  far  more  than  probable,  from  the  facts 
which  we  have  already  given,  and  from  the  following 
epitaphs,  which  are  to  be  found  in  the  cemetery,  that 
the  old  log  building,  in  which  the  first  settlers  in 
what  is  now  the  eastern  part  of  Cumberland  County, 
with  its  beautiful  landscapes  and  thriving  villages, 
assembled  for  the  worship  of  God,  was  erected  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty  years  ago.  These  epitaphs 
we  have  copied  from  Mr.  Rupp's  History  : — 

"In  memory  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Caven,  who 
departed  this  life,  Nov.  9,  1750,  aged  49  years." 

''In  memory  of  James  Wood,  who  departed  this 
life,  Feb.  24th,  1750,  aged  41  years." 

''Here  lies  the  body  of  John  Hamilton,  who  de- 
parted this  life,  Dec.  29th,  1747,  aged  47  years." 

"Here  lies  the  body  of  William  MacMean,  who 
departed  this  life  in  the  year  1747,  aged  35  years." 

We  may  add  that  these  first  settlers  of  that  region 


k 


76     CHURCHES  of  the  valley. 

were  nearly  all  Scotch  and  Scotch-Irish.  ^'  Cumber- 
land," says  Mr.  Rupp,  "was  exclusively  settled  by 
Scotch  and  Scotch-Irish,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
English.  The  Germans  did  not  begin  to  immigrate 
into  the  loAver  part  of  the  county  till  about  1760 
or  '62." 

The  Session  of  the  church  at  Silvers'  Spring,  as 
at  present  constituted,  consists  of  John  Mateer, 
Francis  Eckels,  and  Robert  G.  Young. 


•^ 


77 


CHAPTER    V. 

CHURCH     IN     MERGE  11  SBURG. 

BY    THE    REV.    THOMAS    CKEIGII. 

[In  November,  1851,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Creigh  preached  his  twen- 
tieth anniversary  sermon  as  pastor  of  this  church.  This  ser- 
mon, which  gave  so  much  satisfaction  to  the  congregation  as 
to  lead  to  its  publication  by  them,  has  been,  at  our  request, 
expanded  by  its  respected  author  into  the  following  interest- 
ing and  comprehensive  form,  and  is,  with  his  kind  permission, 
turned  to  its  present  use. — A.  N.] 


PERIOD    I. 

FROM  TUE  ORGANIZ.\TIOX  OF  THE  CHURCH,  A.  D.   1738,    TO  THE  SET- 
TLEMENT OF  THE  REV.   JOHX  KIXO,   D.D.,   AS  PASTOR,   A.   D.   1769. 

It  is  a  matter  of  sincere  and  deep  regret  that  the 
history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  place  had 
not  been  undertaken  years  ago,  when  the  materials  for 
its  early  history  were  more  abundant  than  they  are 
at  the  present  time.  From  this  neglect,  many  things 
connected  with  its  early  history,  with  whicli  it  would 
be  interesting  to  be  acquainted,  have  entirely  passed 


78       CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

away,  so  that  it  is  impossible  to  recover  them  ;  or  the 
tradition  by  which  they  have  been  handed  down,  has 
become  so  vague  and  uncertain,  that  unhesitating 
confidence  cannot  be  reposed  in  them.  Discrimina- 
tion has  therefore  been  exercised  in  selecting  from 
all  the  available  sources  within  my  reach,  those  facts 
which  are  supported  by  the  best  proof ;  and  they  are 
now  collected  together  and  arranged  in  the  order  of 
their  occurrence. 

This  part  of  Pennsylvania  began  to  be  settled  about 
the  year,  A.  D.  1736,  the  land  being  taken  from  the 
proprietors  by  those  who  intended  to  occupy  it.  The 
inhabitants  were  generally  Scotch-Irish,  and  in  their 
*  fatherland'  belonged  to  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Among  the  first  objects  which  claimed  their  attention 
in  this  their  new  home — among  the  labours  and  pri- 
vations of  a  new  and  uncultivated  country — was  the 
organization  of  a  Church  according  to  the  faith  of 
their  fathers.  This  took  place,  A.  D.  1738,  and 
was  styled.  Upper  West  Conocochepgue.  And  so 
extensive  was  the  territory  which  it  covered,  that  it 
embraced  all  the  region  which  is  now  occupied  by 
the  congregations  of  Welsh  Run,  Loudon,  and  St. 
Thomas, — about  fourteen  miles  square,  or  an  area  of 
nearly  two  hundred  miles.  At  this  early  period 
there  were  but  few  of  any  other  denomination  of 
Christians  in  this  large  field.  The  Presbyterian 
Church  was  predominant.  Its  members  were  the 
first  and  almost  the  sole  possessors  of  the  soil. 

Scattered  over  so  great  an  extent  of  country,  it  is 


CHURCH  IN  MERCERS  BURG.       70 

not  surprising  that  a  diversity  of  opinion  should 
have  existed  in  regard  to  the  location  of  the  church 
edifice.  The  two  most  prominent  places  selected 
were,  the  one,  near  what  is  now  known  by  the  name 
of  Waddell's  Graveyard,  and  which  was  then  opened 
for  interments  in  anticipation  of  the  building  being 
erected  there,  and  the  other,  the  place  Avhere  it  now 
stands.  But  in  the  spirit  of  compromise,  and  as 
being  the  most  central  and  eligible,  the  latter  place 
was  chosen.  The  warrant  for  the  land  was  taken^ 
out  by  Messrs.  William  Maxwell  and  "William  Camp- 
bell. And  thus,  for  more  than  a  century,  on  that 
hallowed  ground  has  the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  Son 
of  God  been  proclaimed.  For  centuries  to  come  may 
it  be  occupied  for  the  same  purpose  ! 

It  was  a  short  time  before  this,  that  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  this  country  began  to  be  agitated 
by  a  religious  controversy,  which  resulted  in  a  sepa- 
ration which  continued  for  seventeen  years.*  The 
effects  of  this  state  of  things  in  the  Church  at  large 
w^ere  felt  here  also.  A  division  was  the  consequence. 
This  occurred  in  1741.  Hence  originated  the  congre- 
gation of  Lower  West  Conococheague,  or  what  is  now 
called  Welsh  Run.  But  though  a  division  took  place, 
it  was  what  their  situation  as  a  congregation  required, 
it  being  much  too  extensive  to  allow  frequent  meet- 
ings in  one  place.     And  when  effected,  it  was  done 

*  For  au  account  of  this  controversy,  see  Appendix  III. 


80  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

with  SO  much  Christian  spirit,  that  both  churches 
still  adhering  to  the  same  Presbytery,  were  frequently 
represented  in  this  judicatory  by  the  same  commis- 
sioner. 

In  the  year  1754,  this  church  invited  the  Rev. 
John  Steel  to  become  its  Pastor.  Mr.  Steel  having 
accepted  the  invitation,  continued  among  them  for 
about  two  years,  having  charge  also  of  East  Conoco- 
cheague.  He  settled  at  a  time  when  the  neighbour- 
hood was  greatly  disturbed  by  the  Indians.  General 
Braddock  had  been  defeated  ;  and  the  Indians,  ga- 
thering fresh  courage  from  this  disaster,  hastened  to 
wreak  their  vengeance  on  the  inhabitants  of  these 
then  frontiers.  It  was  about  this  time  that  Col. 
James  Smith,  Mr.  John  M'Collough,  and  Richard 
Bard,  Esq.,  and  his  w^ife,  were  taken  captive  by  them  ; 
all  of  whom  were  connected  with  this  conn-res^ation, 
the  latter  two  after  their  captivity ;  and  whose 
thrilling  narratives,  as  recorded  in  a  book  some  time 
since  published,  called  "Incidents  of  Border  Life," 
give  a  vivid  idea  of  the  exposures  and  hardships  and 
sufferings  of  the  inhabitants  at  this  early  period. 

In  consequence  of  these  frequent  attacks  of  the 
Indians,  the  settlement  was  entirely  broken  up ;  the 
congregation  was  dispersed ;  and  Mr.  Steel  having 
received  an  invitation  from  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Carlisle  to  become  their  pastor,  accepted  the  invi- 
tation, and  there  lived  and  laboured  the  remainder 
of  his  days.     Mr.   Steel  was  a  man  of  great  intra- 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERSBUIIG.  81 

pidity  of  character.  Often  did  he  lead  forth  com- 
panies of  armed  men  to  repel  the  invading  savages. 

He  was  a  good  preacher,  and  a  sound  divine.  But 
his  labours  here  were  of  too  short  duration,  and  the 
country  too  much  disturbed,  to  have  been  as  greatly 
or  as  extensively  useful,  as  he  would  have  been  under 
more  favourable  circumstances.  How  different  is  our 
condition  from  theirs  !  Theirs  was  one  of  toil  and 
great  exposure  to  danger — oursh  one  of  comparative 
ease  and  safety.  With  thern^  it  was  a  common  thing 
to  meet  together  to  worship  God  with  their  fire-arms 
in  their  hands,  and  their  swords  at  their  sides — to 
us,  belongs  the  high  privilege  of  meeting  in  the 
house  of  God  without  fear,  and  of  worshipping 
without  molestation.  The  ancient  church  was  en- 
closed by  a  fortification,  erected  for  the  safety  and 
protection  of  the  surrounding  neighbourhood ; — fit 
emblem  of  that  safer,  securer  refuge  which  God  has 
provided,  in  his  Son,  for  the  penitent  believer,  from 
the  storms  of  divine  wrath,  and  from  the  enemies  of 
his  soul. 

After  the  return  of  the  people  to  their  desolated 
habitations,  they  again  organized  themselves  into  a 
congregation,  and  enjoyed  supplies  from  the  Done- 
gal Presbytery,  until  the  years  1762  and  '63,  when 
the  settlement  was  again  disturbed  by  the  irrup- 
tion of  the  Indians,  which  had  once  more  well- 
nigh  broken  up  the  congregation.  Yet,  though  few 
in  number  and  labouring  under  great  difficulties,  they 
still  clung  to  the  church.    And  though  it  had  scarcely 


82       CHURCHES  or  THE  VALLEY. 

an  existence,  yet  did  it  still  live,  to  impart  consola- 
tion to  them  in  their  trying  circumstances. 

They  seem  to  have  identified  themselves  so  com- 
pletely with  the  Church,  from  their  first  settlement 
in  these  parts,  that  they  could  not  live  without  it. 
They  seem  to  have  felt  the  truth  of  the  promise, 
"  They  shall  prosper  that  love  thee."  Hence,  when 
driven  from  their  homes  and  from  the  house  of  God, 
they  seem  to  have  possessed  the  spirit  of  the  Psalmist, 
as,  wdien  under  somewhat  similar  circumstances,  he 
laments,  '^  As  the  hartpanteth  after  the  water  brooks, 
so  panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  0  God.  My  soul  thirst- 
eth  for  God,  for  the  living  God;  when  shall  I 
come  and  appear  before  God  ?  My  tears  have  been 
my  meat  day  and  night,  while  they  continually  say, 
Where  is  thy  God  ?  When  I  remember  these  things, 
I  pour  out  my  soul  in  me :  for  I  had  gone  with  the 
multitude  :  I  went  with  them  to  the  house  of  God, 
with  the  voice  of  joy  and  praise,  with  a  multitude 
that  kept  holy  day."  (Psalm  xlii.  1-4.)  Thus  were 
they  called  to  pass  through  many  changes  and  trials, 
until,  in  1767,  we  find  the  Church  in  a  more  pros- 
perous condition  than  it  had  been  at  any  former 
period. 

The  following  persons  at  this  time  composed  the 
Session  :  Messrs.  William  Maxwell,  William  Smith, 
John  M'Dowell,  William  M'Dowell,  John  Welsh, 
Alexander  White,  John  M'Clelland,  Jonathan  Smith, 
William  Campbell,  Robert  Fleming,  and  Samuel 
Templeton. 


CHURCH  IN  MERCERSBURG.       83 


PERIOD  II. 

FROM  THE  SETTLEMENT  OF  THE  REVEREND  JOHN  KING,  D.D.,  AS 
PASTOR,  A.  D.  1769,  TO  THE  SETTLEMENT  OF  THE  REVEREND 
DAVID   ELLIOTT,  D.D.,  AS    PASTOR,    A.    D.    1812, 

The  cliiircli  having  been  thus  brought  into  a  more 
prosperous  condition,  and  its  members  feeling  the 
importance  of  having  a  settled  ministry  among  them, 
in  17G8  invited  the  Rev.  John  King,  then  a  licen- 
tiate under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadel- 
phia, to  preach  to  them  with  this  view.  Dr.  King 
having  accepted  the  invitation,  and  having  laboured 
among  them  with  great  acceptance  for  several  months, 
was  at  length  ordained  and  installed  pastor,  August 
30th,  1769.  At  the  time  of  his  settlement  the  con- 
gregation numbered  one  hundred  and  thirty  families. 

Dr.  King  commenced  his  ministry  in  exciting 
times.  It  was  not  long  after  he  had  entered  upon 
the  pastorate  of  this  church,  until  the  whole  commu- 
nity was  thrown  into  a  ferment  by  the  following 
occurrence,  which  seriously  threatened  the  best  inte- 
rests of  the  church.  But  he  was  the  man  to  meet 
the  emergency.  And  he  did  meet  it  manfully  and 
fearlessly,  and  the  storm  expended  itself  without  any 
serious  results.  In  the  year  1770,  Col.  James  Smith 
had  been  lodged  in  prison,  in  Bedford  County,  on  the 
charge  of  murder,  which  had  occurred  in  an  affray 
which  had  taken  place  in  that  county.  For  more 
safe  keeping  he  was  removed  to  the  prison  at  Car- 


84  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

lisle.  His  friends  becoming  exasperated  at  such 
treatment,  and  calling  themselves  Black  Boys^  de- 
termined to  go  to  Carlisle  and  attempt  his  rescue. 
Through  the  persuasion  of  the  Colonel,  they  desisted. 
On  their  return  to  Conococheague  they  met  three 
hundred  persons  who  had  set  out  on  the  same  errand, 
— so  great,  so  intense,  and  so  general  was  the  ex- 
citement throughout  the  whole  settlement.  It  was 
on  this  occasion  that  Dr.  King  delivered  the  following 
address  to  his  congregation.  And  it  teaches  two 
things  :  (1)  that  he  was  a  man  of  great  moral  courage, 
to  stand  up  and  deliver  such  an  address,  under 
such  circumstances,  in  the  very  place  where  this  ex- 
citement was  so  intense,  and  when  so  many  of  his 
own  congregation  sympathized  so  deeply  in  the  move- 
ment. And  (2)  that  Presbyterian  ministers  were 
theyi,  as  they  are  noiv^  law-abiding  men.  The  ad- 
dress embodies  principles  in  regard  to  subjection  to 
the  civil  magistrate  which  are  as  important  now^  as 
they  were  when  they  were  delivered,  on  the  occasion 
referred  to.  It  may  be  added  that  Colonel  Smith 
w^as  honourably  and.  justly  acquitted  of  the  charge 
preferred  against  him."^' 

"  The  distractions  which  have  lately  agitated  this 
part  of  the  country,  and  I  am  sorry  to  say,  have  too 
much  prevailed  in  this  particular  settlement,  are  in- 
deed a  matter  of  no  small  uneasiness  to  me,  and 
certainly  it  must  appear  a  distressing  consideration 
to  every  one  that  has  any  regard  to  the  peace  and 
*  See  "Incidents  of  Border  Life,"  pp.  G7-70. 


CHURCH  IN  MERCERS  BURG.       85 

good  order  of  society,  cither  civil  or  religious.  These 
are  hoth  divine  ordinances,  and  as  such  they  claim  a 
universal  regard  from  every  one  "wlio  is  a  subject  of 
them.  Hence,  to  observe  persons  in  a  riotous  man- 
ner openly  sotting  themselves  against  the  government, 
and  endeavouring  by  force  and  arms  to  prevent  the 
due  administration  of  justice,  must  be  deeply  afflict- 
ing to  every  one  Avho  pays  any  respect  to  the  divine 
authority  in  this  wise  and  useful  institution.  Such 
practices  are  highly  criminal  in  themselves,  not  only 
in  a  civil,  but  also  in  a  religious  sense.  For  if  civil 
government  is  a  divine  institution,  if  '  the  powers  that 
be  are  ordained  of  God,  then  whosoever  resisteth 
that  power,  resisteth  the  ordinance  of  God,  and  they 
that  resist  shall  receive  to  themselves  damnation.' 
These  are  the  express  words  of  the  inspired  Apostle, 
in  Rom.  xiii.  1,  2,  where  he  carefully  inculcates  sub- 
jection and  other  duties  which  we  owe  to  magistrates. 
He  inculcates  on  Christians  the  duty  of  submission 
even  to  Heathen  governors  who  had  the  rule  at  the 
time  when  he  wrote  ;  and  so  of  consequence,  the  ob- 
ligation binds  with  greater  firmness  under  Christian 
governors. 

*'The  first  argument  he  uses  for  this  duty,  is  the 
divine  appointment  of  it:  'For  there  is  no  power 
but  of  God ;  the  powers  that  be  are  ordained  of  God.' 
He  has,  for  the  good  of  mankind,  assigned  different 
stations  of  rule  and  subjection  among  men,  though 
they  are  all  of  one  race,  raising  some  above  others, 
and  clothing  them  with  such  authority  whereby  they 


86  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

bear  some  resemblance  to  himself,  and  accordingly, 
he  has  communicated  to  them  his  own  name:  ^I  have 
said  ye  are  gods'  (Psalm  Ixxxii.,  C) ;  so  that  we  see  with 
what  regard  God  himself  speaks  of  magistrates  and 
judges.  He  also  makes  use  of  that  very  power  in 
magistracy  to  curb  and  punish  those  who  despise  it, 
as  a  strong  obligation  to  bind  us  to  obedience  :  'For 
rulers  are  not  a  terror  to  good  works,'  &c.  (v.  3,  4.) 
And  further,  he  also  adds  another,  of  a  higher  ne- 
cessity, that  binds  more  strongly,  and  is  more  accep- 
table, that  is,  a  necessity  of  conscience  :  'Wherefore,' 
says  he,  'ye  must  needs  be  subject,  not  only  for 
wrath,  but  for  conscience  sake.'  This  is  the  main 
consideration,  and  which  is  the  sum  of  all  the  rest ; 
as  if  he  had  said :  Have  a  reverent  and  conscientious 
respect  to  the  ordinance  of  God,  in  the  institution  of 
government ;  and  to  the  providence  of  God  in  the 
choice  of  those  particular  persons,  he  calls  to  the  ad- 
ministration of  it,  and  submit  yourselves  to  those  who 
are  thus  set  over  you.  This  you  must  needs  do,  and  that 
'  not  only  for  wrath,  for  fear  of  the  magistrate's  sword,' 
but  out  of  a  necessity  of  conscience,  which  makes  a 
true  willingness  and  an  acceptable  service ;  and  where 
this  is  done,  it  produces  an  agreeable  and  regular 
motion  among  all  superiors  and  inferiors,  states  and 
families,  magistrates  and  subjects,  the  one  command- 
ing, the  other  obeying  in  the  Lord. 

"  We  see  then  that  this  subjection  is  a  necessary 
and  commanded  duty  incumbent  upon  all ;  and  cer- 
tainly Christians  are  to  consider  themselves  under 


CHURCH  IN  MERCERS  BURG.       87 

the  strongest  obligations;  yea,  it  is  so  connected  with 
religion,  that  I  can  scarcely  think  a  person  a  good 
Christian,  who  is  not  a  good  civilian.  A  disposition 
to  oppose,  or  to  abet,  or  encourage  the  actual  oppo- 
sition to  civil  government,  is  a  temper  of  mind  con- 
trary to  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and  unbecoming  the 
Christian  character.  But  we  are  still  to  remember 
that  this  subjection  is  not  to  infringe  upon  the  rights 
of  conscience,  with  respect  to  the  authority  and  law 
of  God,  and  the  duty  we  owe  to  him ;  for  the  extent  of 
all  these  relations  and  of  all  subjection  and  obedience 
is  to  be  bounded  by  the  unalterable  obligations  we  are 
under  to  God,  as  supreme  :  '  Render  therefore  unto 
Caesar  the  things  that  are  Caesar's,'  but  nothing  of 
God's ;  that  is  neither  ours  to  give,  nor  his  to  receive. 
The  law  of  God  is  the  first  and  highest  rule,  and  binds 
all,  both  kings  and  subjects,  high  and  low,  under  in- 
violable and  perpetual  engagements.  Magistrates 
and  judges  are  peculiarly  under  the  eye  of  God,  and 
as  he  has  elevated  them  to  a  higher  station  than 
others,  so  he  peculiarly  takes  notice  of  their  conduct : 
as  the  Supreme  Judge,  he  sits  and  views  their  pro- 
ceedings, not  only  whether  they  do  that  which  is 
just,  but  whether  they  judge  righteously  for  conscience 
sake.  They  are  accountable  to  God,  and  also  to  the 
laws  of  the  land,  if  they  go  beyond  their  trust. 

"But  should  they  leave  their  station,  it  aifords  no 
argument  for  us  to  leave  ours.  Nay,  if  opposition 
should  arise  to  such  a  height  as  to  require  opposition, 
which  may  sometimes  happen  in  any  government, 
such  opposition  ought  to  be  made  in  a  quiet,  peace- 


88  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

able,  and  lawful  manner,  and  not  by  force  of  arms, 
tumults,  and  riots,  and  the  like.  This  is  choosing  the 
worst  way,  for  no  other  reason  but  because  it  is  the 
•worst;  for  oppression  itself  will  not  justify  opposition 
by  force,  until  all  milder  measures  have  failed — much 
less  is  it  justifiable  when  the  circumstances  of  the 
case  do  not  require  it. 

"  Upon  the  whole,  then,  as  I  conceive  it  my  duty 
to  reprove  sin,  in  whatever  light  it  appears,  and  as  I 
am  convinced  that  the  resisting  a  divine  ordinance  is 
a  sin,  and  that  the  disgraceful  conduct  of  the  late 
rioters  deserves  that  character,  I  conceive  that  no 
upright  and  w^ell-disposed  mind  can  take  offence  at 
what  I  have  declared  concerning  it.  It  is  a  story  in 
the  mouths  of  those  w^ho  may  be  called  our  political 
adversaries,  that  the  Presbyterians  are  disaffected 
towards  the  government,  and  that  their  teachers  in- 
struct them  so;  and  thus,  though  it  is  a  charge  upon 
that  people  in  general,  yet  it  comes  sideways  upon 
the  ministers.  And  therefore  I  take  this  occasion 
publicly  to  declare  my  abhorrence  and  detestation  of 
such  riotous  conduct,  and  most  earnestly  exhort  and 
warn  all  those  that  hear  me  to  abstain  from  it,  and 
to  avoid  all  those  who  do  by  any  means  encourage 
practices  so  destructive  to  the  peace  and  good  order 
of  society — nay,  so  reproachful  to  human  nature." 

It  was  but  a  few  years  after  the  occurrence  of  the 
event  just  mentioned,  until  the  Colonies  began  to  be 
agitated,  from  one  extreme  to  the  other,  on  the  sub- 
ject of   their  connexion  with   Great  Britain.      The 


CHURCH     IN     MERCEIISBURG.  89 

fires  which  had  long  been  concealed  were  now  begin- 
ninir  to  in\c  evidence  of  their  existence.  Great 
Britain  had  become  more  and  more  unyielding  in  her 
claims,  and  unrelenting ;  and  the  American  Colonies 
had  become  more  determined  than  ever  to  maintain 
their  rights,  and  to  defend  them  at  all  hazards. 
From  these  positions  neither  party  would  recede. 
The  breach  had  become  too  wide  to  be  healed.  The 
crisis  had  been  reached,  and  the  country  was  in  arms. 
The  same  spirit  which  pervaded  the  Colonies  at 
large,  pervaded  also  the  minds  of  the  people  here. 
The  feelings  of  patriotism  had  been  enkindled  in 
their  bosoms,  and  were  to  know  no  abatement  in 
their  ardour,  until  they  had  achieved  their  country's 
independence.  In  producing  this  spirit,  and  in  fos- 
tering it.  Dr.  King  was  second  to  none  of  the  Pres- 
byterian clergymen  of  his  day.  He  not  only  volun- 
teered his  services,  and  went  as  chaplain  to  the 
battalion  which  marched  from  this  part  of  the  coun- 
try, but  many  were  the  addresses  which  he  delivered 
in  behalf  of  the  liberties  of  his  country.  It  may  be 
interesting  to  place  on  record  a  specimen  of  these 
addresses,  which  this  patriotic  minister  made  to  the 
people  during  these  trying  times. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  the  neighbourhood, 
called  to  deliberate  on  the  state  of  affairs,  he  thus 
spoke: — ^'Gentlemen,  the  occasion  of  your  meeting 
here  this  day  is  of  a  most  serious  and  alarming 
nature.  Driven  by  the  cruel  hand  of  violence,  you 
are  now  brought  to  the  sad  alternative,  either  of  sub- 
8* 


90  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

mitting  to  the  iron  rod  of  oppression  and  slavery,  or 
appearing  under  arms  in  the  defence  of  your  natural 
and  sacred  rights ;  and  your  sentiments  are  required, 
which  of  these  you  will  choose  and  resolutely  adhere 
to.  Let  us  consider  a  little  the  occasion  of  these 
movements.  Whatever  secret  schemes  may  be  at  the 
bottom,  we  know  that  actions  speak  loud,  and  from 
these  we  may  judge  that  the  heaviest  chains  are 
being  prepared  for  us — that  a  plan  of  the  most  per- 
fect slavery  and  oppression  is  laid,  and  is  now  in 
actual  and  violent  execution.  Say,  which  of  your 
most  sacred  rights  and  invaluable  franchises  are  not 
in  danger  by  this  plan?  You  think  you  have  a 
natural  right  to  use  your  own  property.  No !  says 
Parliament,  we  have  a  right  to  tax  you  as  we  please, 
without  your  concurrence.  You  think  you  have  a 
right  to  be  governed  by  your  own  laws,  made  by 
your  own  representatives.  No !  says  the  Parliament, 
we  have,  and  of  right  ought  to  have,  full  power  to 
make  laws  and  statutes  sufficient  to  bind  the  Colonies 
and  people  of  America  in  all  cases  whatsoever.  This 
breaks  down  all  your  boasts  of  liberty  at  once,  de- 
stroys your  assemblies,  and  makes  you  absolutely 
subject  to  whatever  burdens  a  corrupt  ministry  or  a 
venal  Parliament  may  please  to  lay  upon  you.  You 
think  you  have  a  constitutional  right  to  be  tried,  in 
cases  of  life,  liberty,  or  property,  by  a  jury  of  your 
vicinage.  No !  you  must  in  several  cases  be  tried  in 
England.  You  think  that  murderers  should  not 
escape.     Yes !  says  the  Parliament,  if  they  are  en- 


C  nunc  II     IN     MEKCERSBUllG.  91 

gaged  in  our  cause.  Do  you  think  your  religion  is 
safe  ?  Not  very  secure,  indeed,  when  the  Popish 
religion  is  established,  and  the  French  laws  are  set 
up  just  in  our  neighbourhood.  Or  can  you  think 
that  even  your  lives  will  be  safe  under  a  dragooning 
military  government  ? 

"We  hold  our  charters,  and  consequently  our 
titles  to  our  possessions,  by  the  plighted  faith  of  the 
Crown;  yet  what  regard  is  paid  to  this?  These 
charters  are  violated  at  the  pleasure  of  Parliament, 
and  so  they  may  go  on  to  divest  us  of  every- 
thing we  call  our  own.  All  these  things  (and  in- 
deed these  are  but  some  of  the  cruel  things)  have 
been  done  by  the  last  Parliament.  And  what  has 
the  present  Parliament  done  ?  Instead  of  relieving, 
they  have  increased  our  burdens.  We  waited,  and 
hoped  for  assistance  from  friends  in  England ;  but 
neither  they  nor  we  could  be  heard.  One  would 
say,  we  must  confine  our  trade  solely  to  Britain, 
Ireland,  and  the  West  Indies  ;  another,  that  the 
people  of  New  England  must  not  fish  on  the  banks 
of  Newfoundland  (that  may  be  reserved  for  their 
peaceable  neighbours,  the  French) ;  and  a  third,  to 
enable  the  King  to  declare  us  actual  rebels,  and  treat 
us  accordingly,  thousands  of  men  are  sent  over  to 
execute  the  fatal  sentence.  The  cloud  is  gathering 
thicker  and  thicker  !  Nay,  it  has  already  burst,  and 
violence  is  begun.  We  hear  pretty  authentic  ac- 
counts of  an  actual  engagement. 

"Now  this  is  our  lamentable  situation — and  what 


92       CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

will  we  do  ?  I  am  ready  to  anticipate  your  answer, 
and  say  that  you  will  firmly  resolve  to  stand  for  your 
liberties,  and,  with  all  your  force,  oppose  these  un- 
constitutional exertions  of  power.  We  have  been 
opposing  them  in  a  peaceable  way,  but  now  we  are 
drove  to  the  worst,  and  must  either  submit  or  appeal 
to  arms — that  '•ultima  ratio  regum,'  the  last  argument 
of  kings.  But  some  will  perhaps  say  it  is  taking  up 
arms  against  the  King, — a  grievous  crime,  according 
to  the  English  Constitution,  and  contrary  to  the 
command  of  the  Apostle,  who  teaches  that  'every 
soul  be  subject  to  the  higher  powers.'  My  sentiments 
of  this  matter  are  these.  I  acknowledge  King  George 
as  my  rightful  sovereign :  I  declare  myself  his  sub- 
ject, and  am  willing  to  swear  allegiance  to  him,  and 
I  do  not  doubt  but  every  one  of  you  would  declare 
the  same ;  but  still  I  do  firmly  believe  that  all 
allegiance  is  bounded  by  the  constitution  of  our  go- 
vernment, and  all  obedience  is  limited  by  the  laws  of 
God.  It  is,  therefore,  constitutional  allegiance  that 
w^e  would  declare.  It  is  this  that  we  plead  for.  It 
is  obedience  in  things  lawful  that  we  are  to  pay,  and 
beyond  this  the  Apostle  surely  would  never  inculcate 
subjection  to  the  earthly  powers.  That  pernicious 
doctrine  of  passive  obedience  and  non-resistance  can 
stand  upon  no  rational  foundation,  but  is  contrary 
thereto.  It  is  absurd  in  itself,  fraught  with  the  most 
dangerous  consequences,  and  only  calculated  for  the 
meridian  of  Turkey  or  Tartary.  The  operation  of 
it  will  never  cease  until  we   shall  become  like  the 


CHURCH     IN     MEllCERSBUllG.  93 

slaves  of  Morocco,  avIio,  Avlicn  their  tyrant,  perhaps 
for  his  sport,  wounds  them  with  a  javelin,  submis- 
sively employ  their  remaining  strength  to  draw  it 
out,  and  give  it  to  him  again,  that  he  may  give  them 
the  finishing  blow. 

"  Now,  sirs,  subjection  is  demanded  of  us,  but  it  is 
not  the  constitutional  subjection  which  we  are  in  duty 
bound  to  pay  ;  it  is  not  a  legal  subjection  to  the  King 
they  would  bring  us  to-rr-that  we  already  acknowledge ; 
but  it  is  a  subjection  to  the  British  Parliament,  or  to 
the  people  of  Great  Britain :  this  we  deny,  and  I  hope 
will  always  deny.  They  are  not  our  lords  and 
masters  ;  they  are  no  more  than  our  brethren  and  fel- 
low-subjects. They  call  themselves,  and  it  has  been 
usual  to  call  them,  the  inother  country  ;  but  this  is 
only  a  name,  and  if  there  was  anything  in  it,  one 
would  think  that  it  should  lead  them  to  treat  us  like 
children,  with  parental  affection.  But  is  it  fatherly 
or  motherly,  to  strip  us  of  everything,  to  rob  us  of 
every  right  and  privilege,  and  then  to  whip  and 
dragoon  us  with  fleets  and  armies,  till  we  are  pleased  ? 
No !  As  the  name  does  not  belong  to  them,  so  their 
conduct  shows  they  have  no  right  to  claim  it.  We 
are  on  an  equal  footing  with  them  in  all  respects ; 
with  respect  to  government  and  privileges  ;  and  there- 
fore their  usurpation  ought  to  be  opposed.  Nay, 
when  the  King  uses  the  executive  branch  of  govern- 
ment, which  is  in  his  hand,  to  enable  one  part  of  his 
subjects  to  lord  it  over  and  oppress  another,  it  is  a 


94     CHURCHES  or  the  valley. 

sufficient  ground  of  our  applying  to  the  laws  of  nature 
for  our  defence. 

"  But  this  is  the  case  with  us.  We  have  no  other 
refuge  from  slavery  but  those  powers  which  God  has 
given  us,  and  allowed  us  to  use  in  defence  of  our  dearest 
rights  ;  and  I  hope  he  will  bless  our  endeavours,  and 
give  success  to  this  oppressed  people  ;  and  that  the 
wicked  instruments  of  all  these  distractions,  shall 
meet  their  due  reward.  I  earnestly  wish  that  in 
such  troublous  times,  while  we  plead  for  liberty,  a 
proper  guard  may  be  kept  against  any  turbulent  or 
mobbish  outbreak,  and  that  unanimity  may  be  uni- 
versal, both  in  counsel  and  action,  and  that  we  may 
still  have  an  eye  to  the  great  God,  who  has  some  im- 
portant reasons  for  such  severe  corrections.  Let  us 
look  to  the  rod  and  him  that  hath  appointed  it ;  let  us 
humble  ourselves  before  him  daily  for  our  sins,  and 
depend  upon  him  for  success.  If  he  be  against  us, 
in  vain  do  we  struggle  ;  if  the  Lord  be  for  us, '  though 
an  host  should  encamp  against  us,  we  need  not  be 
afraid.' 

"  Now  from  a  right  view  of  th-e  state  and  circum- 
stances of  these  Colonies,  every  man  of  common  sense 
will  see  that  in  this  conflict  nothing  is  more  necessary 
than  union,  nothing  more  dangerous  than  division  ; 
and  if  ever  we  are  obliged  to  give  up  our  sacred 
rights,  it  will  not  be  by  British  force,  but  by  enemies 
among  ourselves.  A  state  divided  cannot  stand,  and 
therefore  we  should  guard  against  division.  Some 
will  doubtless  be  so  mean,  as  to  prefer  some  present 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERSBURG.  95 

ease  before  the  most  lasting  enjoyment,  and  rather 
than  discompose  themselves  for  the  present,  would 
submit  to  the  vilest  bondage ;  so  sordid,  as  to  set  up 
their  own  interest  in  competition  with  the  public 
good  and  this  general  cause,  in  which  w^e  are  engaged. 
It  is  certain  that  all  these  are  in  a  degree  enemies  to 
us,  and  should  be  avoided ;  not  only  such  as  will  not 
act  with  us,  but  such  as  will  not  act  harmoniously. 
Everything  that  tends  to  break  the  harmony  should 
be  avoided." 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  sermon  occasioned 
by  the  death  of  General  Montgomery,  preached  Ja- 
nuary, 1TT7,  from  the  text,  ''  And  all  these  things  are 
against  me."  (Gen.  xlii.  36.)  "  God's  dealings  with 
men  when  he  is  working  their  deliverance  are  often  so 
dark  and  intricate,  that  they  are  apt  to  judge  and  say 
they  are  against  them.  This  should  prevent  us  forming 
hasty  judgments  concerning  our  circumstances,  how- 
ever dark,  nay,  even  desperate  they  may  be.  Such 
judgments  of  matters  tend  to  depress  that  spirit  and 
weaken  that  activity  and  force  which  are  necessary 
to  extricate  from  troubles  :  besides,  they  are  injurious 
to  the  right  exercise  of  faith  in  the  goodness  and 
power  of  God,  and  betray  an  ignorance  of  the  methods 
of  his  providence.  Let  us,  therefore,  in  our  circum- 
stances guard  against  them.  They  arise  from  a 
weakness  of  faith,  from  cowardice,  from  principles  of 
sense,  from  partial  views  ofthematter,  and  from  igno- 
rance of  God.  To  admit  and  to  follow  such  a  judgment 
in  our  case  would  be  dishonourable   to  our  cause  and 


90       CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

attended  with  certain  ruin.  For  surely  we  have  still 
reason  for  the  exercise  of  faith  and  confidence  in 
God,  that  he  will  not  give  a  people  up  to  the  un- 
limited will  and  power  of  others,  who  have  done  all 
they  could  to  avoid  the  calamity,  and  have  so  strenu- 
ously adhered  to  the  cause  of  reason  and  humanity ; 
— a  people  w^ho  have  been  attacked  with  unprovoked 
violence,  and  driven  with  the  greatest  reluctance  to 
take  up  arms  for  their  defence  ; — a  people  whom  he 
himself  by  a  series  of  providential  actings  hath  gra- 
dually led  on  to  this  condition.  That  he  should 
give  up  such  a  people  to  the  tyranny  of  masters,  who 
impiously  invade  his  own  prerogative,  and  mark  their 
proceedings  with  such  instances  of  barbarity  and  in- 
humanity as  nature  itself  abhors — let  us  never  entertain 
a  thought  so  derogatory  to  the  honour  and  justice  of 
Him  who  is  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth,  and  will  surely 
do  that  which  is  right.  He  is  the  judge  of  right,  the 
guardian  of  innocence,  the  protector  of  truth,  and 
the  defence  of  the  oppressed.  '  The  Lord  is  the  re- 
fuge for  the  oppressed;  he  will  maintain  the  cause  of 
the  afflicted ;  he  hath  appointed  his  arrows  against  the 
persecutors.' 

"Therefore,  when  these  are  our  circumstances,  we 
may  rationally  judge  that  God  is  not  an  unconcerned 
spectator,  but  that  he  sees  and  will  reward  the  per- 
secutors. Many  things,  indeed,  seem  to  be  against 
us  ;  a  very  great  and  powerful  enemy,  who  have  been 
long  trained  to  victory ;  their  numerous  and  savage 
allies,  who,  having  lost  their  liberty,  would  have  others 


CHURCH  IN  MERCERS  BURG.       97 

intlic  same  condition;  ouiMvcakness  and  inexperience 
in  "war  ;  internal  enemies,  Avhicli  "vve  cannot  well  root 
out;  the  loss  of  many  of  our  friends,  and  a  beloved  and 
able  General.  But  let  not  these  destroy  our  hopes,  or 
damp  our  spirits.  To  put  too  much  confidence  in 
man,  is  the  way  to  provoke  God  to  deprive  us  of 
them.  This  may  perhaps  be  that  darkness  which  pre- 
cedes the  glorious  day.  Nor  let  us  judge  that  the 
cause  is  lost,  even  though  we  should  be  brought  much 
lower  still.  God  may  have  great  things  to  do  with 
this  people.  This  land  he  made  use  of  as  a  refuge 
for  his  oppressed  people,  and  has  brought  them  up 
to  maturity  in  it ;  and  he  may  now  be  about  to  make 
them  eminent  in  the  world,  and  give  them  a  name 
among  the  nations  of  the  earth.  Should  this  be  the 
case,  let  us  not  wonder  that  we  should  travail  in  birth  ; 
that  so  great  a  nation  should  be  born  into  political 
life  and  independence  with  sore  pangs  and  blood. 
It  is  agreeable  to  God's  method  to  bring  low  before 
he  exalteth ;  to  humble  before  he  raises  up.  Let  us 
trust  in  him,  and  do  our  duty,  and  commit  the  event 
to  his  determination,  who  can  make  those  things  to 
be  for  us,  which  by  a  judgment  of  sense,  we  are  ready 
to  say  are  against  us." 

The  following  was  addressed  to  Captain  Huston's 
company,  as  they  were  about  to  leave  their  homes  for 
the  battle-field.  "  My  brethren — I  hope  you  will 
remember  the  designs  and  resolutions  with  which  you 
at  first  consented  to,  and  joined  in,  the  public  oppo- 
sition to  the  tyranny  of  Great  Britain.     I  hope  that 


98       CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

at  tins  time  of  great  necessity,  you  will  not  suffer  the 
fire  and  warlike  spirit  to  faint,  and  so  manifest  all 
that  you  have  hitherto  done  and  said,  to  signify 
nothing.  It  appears  that  even  now  is  the  critical 
and  trying  time  ;  our  enemy  making  their  main  push, 
and  at  the  same  time  coming  into  such  circumstances 
as  they  will  be  most  in  our  power.  While  they  con- 
tinued under  the  cover  and  convoy  of  their  ships, 
they  were  out  of  our  reach  ;  now,  it  seems,  they  have 
taken  the  land,  and  come  into  such  circumstances  as 
we  desired.  But  our  divided  army  cannot  operate 
against  their  number,  without  an  addition.  You  are 
loudly  called  upon  to  go  to  its  assistance.  Indeed, 
the  case  itself  speaks  so  loudly,  as  is  sufficient  to 
rouse  every  spark  of  martial  fire  that  may  be  in  you. 

"  There  is,  one  would  think,  no  need  of  words. 
Your  country,  lives,  liberties,  and  estates  in  danger, 
all  cry  most  bitterly  for  help  !  And  why  should 
there  be  the  least  appearance  of  backwardness  among 
you  ?  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  some  among  you  are 
so  hearty  in  the  cause,  as  by  their  readiness  to  the 
service,  to  show  that  they  still  desire  to  be  free,  and 
were  in  earnest  when  they  said  they  would  defend 
their  liberties  with  their  lives. 

"  The  case  is  plain  ;  life  must  be  hazarded,  or  all  is 
gone.  You  must  go  and  fight,  or  send  your  humble 
submission,  and  bow  as  a  beast  to  its  burden,  or  as  an 
ox  to  the  slaughter.  The  King  of  Great  Britain  has 
declared  us  rebels  ;  a  capital  crime.  Submission  there- 
fore consents  to  the  rope  or  the  axe.   Liberty  is  doubt- 


CHURCH     IN    MEKCEllSBURG.  09 

less  gone ;  none  could  imagine  a  tyrant  king  should 
be  more  favourable  to  conquered  rebels,  than  he  was  to 
loyal,  humble,  petitioning  subjects.  No  I  No  !  If  ever 
a  people  lay  in  chains,  we  must,  if  our  enemies  carry 
their  point  against  us,  and  oblige  us  to  unconditional 
submission.  This  is  not  all.  Our  Tory  neighbours 
will  be  our  proud  and  tormenting  enemies.  But  sup- 
pose that  all  this  were  tolerable,  and  you  might  think 
that  it  might  be  submitted  to,  there  is  still  a  greater 
monster  behind,  that  is,  Persecution.  I  do  not  mean 
persecution  on  a  religious  account,  though  I  have  not 
the  least  doubt  but  that  will  also  be  the  case.  The  Eng- 
lish Government,  every  one  knows,  is  favourable  to 
Episcopacy  ;  it  has  found  the  benefit  of  it,  and  it  is 
to  all  appearance  as  fond  of  the  maxim,  '  JVo  Bishop, 
no  King,'  as  ever.  This  was  and  is  designed,  and 
will  no  doubt  be  the  case  here,  if  they  succeed  in  con- 
quering us. 

"  Eut  as  sure  as  you  sit  there,  you  may  expect  a 
political  persecution.  It  has  ever  been  the  case, 
that  hard  and  tyrannical  oaths  have  been  imposed  by 
conquerors  in  such  cases  ;  and  if  we  are  overcome, 
what  may  we  expect  but  oaths  to  bind  us  to  passive 
obedience  and  non-resistance,  which  no  conscientious 
man  could  take ;  but  yet,  must  take  or  suffer. 
And  how  miserable  a  case  must  it  be  to  be  bound  by 
an  oath  to  a  principle  of  the  deepest  slavery,  and 
such  as  cuts  off  the  only  remedy  against  tyranny  ! 

"  Now,  gentlemen,  you  see  what  we  have  to  expect ; 
and  surely  it  must  appear  to  you  intolerable,   and 


100  CIIUKCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

such  as  must  make  you  still  adhere  to  the  glorious 
struggle  for  liberty.  To  be  discouraged  at  -what  has 
already  happened,  is  meanly  to  give  up  the  cause. 
Surely  no  one  ever  expected  the  war  to  be  carried 
on  with  Great  Britain  without  the  loss  of  lives,  and 
those  who  die  must  have  their  friends  to  lament  them. 
This  is  what  we  expected,  and  though  we  mourn  and 
are  sorrowful  for  them,  and  for  the  success  of  the 
English,  yet  let  not  this  discourage.  I  sincerely  feel 
the  distress,  and  pray  God  to  enable  you  to  be  sup- 
ported under  it!" 

An  extract  from  a  sermon  preached  from  the  text, 
"Be  thou  faithful  unto  death,"  (Rev.  ii.  10,)  will 
close  these  deeply  interesting  addresses.  "  My  dear 
brethren — Since  God,  in  the  course  of  his  providence 
has  so  ordered  matters,  as  to  require  every  true- 
hearted  American  to  appear  in  defence  of  his  liberties, 
it  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  see  you  stand  forth, 
with  others,  in  the  glorious  cause.  We  have  heard 
your  declarations  on  the  point,  we  have  seen  your 
diligence  in  preparing,  and  now  we  see  that  these 
were  not  the  efforts  of  cowardice,  boasting  at  a  dis- 
tance, but  that  in  real  earnestness  your  hearts  have 
been  engaged  in  the  matter.  After  observing  in  you 
this  heroic  and  laudable  disposition,  I  apprehend 
there  need  not' much  be  said  to  animate  you  in  the 
grand  object  of  your  present  attention,  and  more 
especially  as  you  enter  upon  this  warfare,  not  from 
the  low  and  sordid  views  which  are  the  main  object 
of  ignorant  mercenaries,  but  with  a  proper  know- 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERSBURli.  101 

ledge  of  the  reasons  of  the  contest,  and  I  hope,  too, 
with  a  consciousness  of  duty. 

"  You  see  an  open  field  before  you,  wherein  you  may 
ac(iuire  reputation  and  honour  to  yourselves,  and  do 
a  most  beneficial  service  to  your  country.  The  cause 
of  American  Independence  and  Liberty,  which  has 
now  called  you  to  go  forth  to  the  scene  of  action,  is 
indeed  a  cause  in  which  it  will  be  glorious  to  conquer 
and  honourable  to  die.  The  victory,  however  dearly 
bought,  will  be  but  a  cheap  purchase ;  for  what  of  all 
worldly  goods  can  be  of  equal  value  to  freedom  from 
slavery,  the  free  and  lawful  enjoyment  and  use  of 
our  own  property,  and  the  free  possession  of  our  own 
lives  and  consciences  ?  This  is  an  object  worthy  of  our 
vigorous  exertions ;  a  prize  worthy  of  a  Christian 
soldier ;  a  prize  we  are  commanded  to  strive  for,  by 
the  voice  of  Nature  and  the  voice  of  God.  We  have 
now  assumed  the  independent  rank  we  ought  to  bear 
among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  and  we  are  resolved 
to  be  free.  Our  enemies,  with  all  their  own  and 
foreign  force  they  could  obtain,  are  attempting  their 
utmost  to  make  us  slaves  ;  and  this  appears  to  be  the 
main  time  of  the  trial — the  very  turning-point  which 
will  decide  the  question,  and  determine  either  for 
freedom  or  bondage.  If  their  designs  can  be  baflled 
for  this  campaign,  it  is  most  probable  they  will  de- 
spair of  success,  and  give  up  the  cause.  At  least  it 
will  be  a  powerfully  animating  motive  for  Americans 
to  proceed  on  in  that  cause,  with  which  they  must  at  all 
9* 


102  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

events  go  through,  having  nothing  before  thembutsuc- 
cess,  or  the  most  ignominious  and  shameful  alternative. 

But  though  it  is  a  worthy  and  honourable  cause  in 
which  you  now  engage,  you  are  still  to  consider  that 
it  is  attended  with  danger.  The  instruments  of 
death  you  carry  in  your  hands,  and  the  power  of 
your  enemies,  by  no  means  contemptible,  declare  it 
to  be  such.  Victory  can  hardly  be  expected  without 
blood ;  and  in  such  a  contest,  death  itself  may  be  to 
some  of  you  a  certain,  and  to  all  a  probable  event. 
By  putting  you  in  mind  of  this,  I  would  not  mean  to 
intimidate,  but  caution  you  to  maintain  an  habitual 
fear  of  God,  and  a  concern  about  death  and  eternity 
which  may  beget  in  you  a  readiness  to  meet  the  worst 
of  events.  True  courage  does  not  consist  in  proud 
contempt  or  thoughtless  disregard  of  death;  nay, 
he  is  possessed  of  true  courage  who  allows  the  serious 
thought  of  death  its  proper  weight,  yet  in  a  virtuous 
cause  prefers  his  duty  before  his  life.  A  man  of 
true  fortitude  is  one  who  sees  the  danger,  yet  from 
superior  motives  despises  it. 

"You  may  therefore  observe  from  this,  that  there  is 
no  soldier  so  truly  courageous  as  a  pious  man ;  no 
army  so  formidable  as  those  who  are  superior  to  the 
fear  of  death,  and  consequently,  that  no  one  qualifi- 
cation is  more  necessary  in  a  soldier  than  true  re- 
ligion. And  now  as  you  are  about  to  go  on  this  ser- 
vice, I  would  have  you  to  apply  this  to  yourselves. 
Many  of  you  have  been  under  my  care,  and  as  it  may 
perhaps  come  to  pass,  that  this  may  be  the  last  time 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERSBURG.  103 

I  have  in  this  manner  to  speak  to  yon,  suffer  me  with 
the  greatest  earnestness  to  beseech  and  exhort  you 
to  be  "watchful  over  your  souls,  to  strive  after  accept- 
ance Avith  God ;  for,  you  must  know  that  if  you  are 
not  at  peace  with  him  and  are  strangers  to  the  Lord 
Jesus,  that  however  you  fall,  you  must  be  wretched. 
Endeavour,  therefore,  to  cultivate  religion;  and  in 
good  earnest  care  for  your  precious  souls.  Without 
this  you  cannot  prosper.  Especially  be  "watchful 
that  neither  your  thoughts,  words,  or  actions  be  dis- 
honourable to  God.  Avoid  swearing,  profaneness, 
lewdness,  drunkenness,  and  every  instance  of  cruelty. 
How  awful  is  it  to  think  that  those  who  enf!;ao-e  in 
war  should  be  despisers  of  God,  and  abusers  of  the 
sacred  name  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts — that  they  should 
expect  success  while  they  are  the  enemies  of  Jehovah, 
and  expose  themselves  to  the  imminent  danger  of 
being  immediately  sent  from  their  profanity  and 
wickedness  on  earth,  to  the  blaspheming  rage  and 
despairing  horrors  of  the  infernal  pit !  It  is  too 
often  the  case,  that  soldiers  claim  a  latitude  to  them- 
selves in  vice ;  and  so  armies  have  been  observed  to 
be  almost  sinks  of  wickedness.  Let  it  not  be  said  of 
any  of  you.  Nor  let  anything  which  would  bring 
a  dishonour  on  the  cause  you  serve,  or  the  profes- 
sion you  have  made,  be  remarked  concerning  you." 

Such  was  the  spirit  of  Dr.  King  in  those  perilous 
times  of  our  country's  history.  And  such  was  the 
spirit  of  patriotism  in  this  congregation,  that  it  con- 
tributed its  full  proportion  of  men  and    officers    to 


104  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

advocate  our  cause  and  to  defend  our  rights.  I  have 
no  means  of  ascertaining  the  precise  number  of  men 
and  officers  who  were  thus  actually  engaged  in  the 
war  of  Independence ;  but  there  were  many  of  the 
best  and  noblest  sons  of  this  congregation  who  for 
the  sake  of  their  country,  had  "  pledged  their  lives, 
their  fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honour."  I  find,  how- 
ever, from  the  Church  Register,  that  the  number  of 
those  who  were  killed,  and  who  died  by  oppression  of 
the  enemy,  and  in  consequence  of  disease  contracted 
while  in  service,  amounts  to  nineJ^  How  highly 
should  we  prize  our  liberties  which  were  thus  so 
dearly  bought  by  toil  and  self-denial,  by  sufferings 
and  death !  How  closely  should  we  consider  the 
connexion  which  exists  between  these  liberties  and 
our  own  beloved  Church  !  And  how  solicitous  should 
we  be  to  transmit  these  liberties  to  the  generations 
which  are  to  succeed  us,  as  pure  as  we  received  them 
from  those  who  preceded  us  and  bequeathed  them  to 
us.     Never  may  the  time  come  in  the  history  of  this 

*  Jonathan  Smith,  a  ruling  elder,  died  of  camp  fever,  at  Am- 
boy,  Oct.  13th,  1776. 

John  Campbell,  by  oppression  of  the  enemy,  Oct.  30th,  1776. 

James  McCoy,  killed  at  Fort  Washington,  Nov.  IGth,  1776. 

Dugal  Campbell,  died  of  camp  fever  in  New  Jersey,  January, 
1777. 

Patrick  McClelland,  by  oppression  of  the  enemy,  1777. 

Joseph  Watson,  killed  in  battle,  Dec,  1777. 

Capt.  Robert  McCoy,  killed  at  Crooked-billet,  May  1st,  1778. 

William  Dean,  "  "  "  " 

William  Sterret,  "  "  "  " 


en  U  lie  II     IN     iM  E  lie  ERS  BURG.  105 

Church,  -when  the  spirit  of  patriotism  -^vliich  (hvelt  in 
the  bosoms  of  our  friends  and  forefathers,  shall  lose 
its  vigour,  or  become  extinct  in  the  hearts  of  those 
who  are  their  descendants  and  successors ! 

In  1777,  the  following  persons  were  added  to  the 
session  :  Messrs.  Patrick  Maxwell,  Joseph  Van  Lear, 
Matthew  Wilson,  William  Lowery,  James  McFarland, 
and  Henry  Helm.  In  1786,  the  town  of  Mercers- 
burg  was  laid  out.  Its  population,  and  that  of  the 
adjacent  neighbourhood  increasing,  it  was  deemed 
expedient  to  have  preaching  in  town.*  For  this 
purpose  an  edifice  was  erected  in  1704,  and  for  a 
number  of  years  was  without  a  ceiling,  floor,  pews, 
or  pulpit.  The  ground  on  which  it  stands,  and  that 
which  surrounds  it,  was  given  to  the  congregation  by 
the  Hon.  Robert  Smith.  In  1772,  Messrs.  William 
Waddell,  Archibald  Irwin,  James  Crawford,  and 
John  Holiday,  were  added  to  the  session ;  in  1799, 
Messrs.  John  McMullin,  John  Johnston,  Edward 
Welsh,  William  Reynolds,  Robert  McFarland,  and 
John  McCullough;  and  in  1800,  Mr.  John  Scott, 
Robert  McDowell,  and  James  Dickey. 

From  the  close  of  the  war,  after  the  state  of  public 
affairs  had  become  more  settled,  until  1811,  when 
Dr.  King,  in  consequence  of  increasing  bodily  afilic- 
tions,  resigned  his  pastoral  charge,  the  state  of  the 
congregation  was  peaceful  and  prosperous.  At  every 
communion   season,   its   numbers   of  professing  dis- 

*The  original  place  of  preaching  is  two  and  a  half  miles  from 
town. 


106  CUUllCIIES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

ciples  were  increased  by  new  accessions.  During 
the  whole  of  Dr.  King's  ministry  in  this  church,  he 
baptized  nine  hundred  and  fifty  persons ;  and  there 
were  admitted  to  the  Communion  four  hundred  and 
eighty.  These  numbers,  however,  are  not  strictly 
accurate,  as  the  Doctor's  infirmities  during  the  latter 
part  of  his  ministry  were  so  great  that  the  Church 
Register  was  but  imperfectly  kept.  There  were 
persons  both  baptized  and  admitted  to  the  commu- 
nion of  the  church,  whose  names  are  not  recorded. 
Dr.  King  was  a  man  of  piety  and  of  extensive 
acquirements.  His  labours  were  owned  of  God, 
and  eminently  blessed  in  building  up  this  church. 
His  memory  still  lives  in  the  grateful  remembrance 
and  strong  afi'ections  of  not  a  few  who  are  spared 
with  us  to  the  present  time,  some  of  whom  bear  the 
seal  of  baptism  as  administered  by  his  own  hand, 
and  others  of  whom  are  his  spiritual  children,  and 
will  be  "his  joy  and  crown  of  rejoicing  in  the  pre- 
sence of  Jesus  Christ  at  his  coming." 

It  may  be  interesting  to  know  something  more  of 
the  life  and  character  of  this  divine,  who  was  second 
to  none  in  his  day  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
this  country.  For  this  purpose  we  will  avail  our- 
selves of  a  brief  memoir,  penned  by  himself,  and 
extending  to  the  tenth  year  of  his  settlement  as 
pastor  of  this  church ;  and  of  a  sermon  which  was 
preached  by  the  Rev.  John  McKnight,  D.D.,  his 
intimate  friend  and  companion,  at  the  request  of  the 
church. 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERS  BURG.  107 

Dr.  King  thus  -writes :  "I  am  now  nearly  thirty- 
nine  years  of  age,  being  born  December  5th,  1740. 
The  wonderful  providence  of  God  has  so  long  spared 
my  life ! — a  life  dishonourable  and  unprofitable ! 
Oh,  that  my  soul  may  be  deeply  humbled  in  the 
review  of  such  a  vain  and  froward,  such  a  slothful 
and  inactive  life  as  I  have  spent,  while  I  here  record 
my  thankfulness  for  that  goodness  and  mercy  of 
God,  that  has  educated  and  protected  me,  that  has 
so  long  spared  me  notwithstanding  my  innumerable 
provocations  of  him,  that  has  in  any  degree  fitted 
me  for  some  usefulness  in  the  world,  that  has  given 
me  at  least  talents  which  might  be  profitable  for  the 
good  of  my  fellow-creatures,  and  especially  so  if  I 
had  improved  them  as  I  ought ;  and  let  my  soul  be 
thankful  that  I  have  been  made  acquainted  in  any 
comfortable  measure  with  that  amazing  Avay  of  sal- 
vation in  the  gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
that,  through  the  providence,  and,  I  hope,  the  grace, 
of  God,  I  have  been  brought  to  be  a  preacher  to 
others  ! 

"It  is  impossible  for  me  to  recollect  or  record  all 
the  instances  of  the  goodness  of  God  to  me,  his 
unworthy  creature  and  unprofitable  servant.  No 
more  can  I  call  to  mind  the  innumerable  instances 
in  which  I  have  dishonoured  him,  through  my  sinful 
life.  But  these  I  must  remember,  for  I  know  and 
feel  them  ;  and  oh  that  that  gracious  God,  who  has 
been  so  liberal  in  his  goodness,  would  deeply  impress 
my  heart  with  a  sense  of  them,  and  awaken  in  my 


108  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

soul  that  love  and  thankfulness  and  praise  which 
becomes  a  creature  so  highly  obliged !  Let  me  from 
henceforth  take  a  more  particular  notice  of  the  good- 
ness of  God,  and  (not  in  that  careless,  unfeeling 
manner  I  was  wont,  but  with  all  my  heart)  acknow- 
ledge it.  Let  me  with  care  and  exactness  observe 
bis  dealings  toward  me,  and  that  which  may  be  most 
remarkable  in  my  own  temper  and  conduct  toward 
him,  and  labour  to  improve  in  humility,  heavenly- 
mindedness,  and  holy  walk  with  God. 

"  My  father,  Robert  King,  whom  I  believe  to  have 
been  a  pious  man,  was  careful  to  educate  me  in  the 
principles  of  the  religion  of  Christ,  and  inculcate  the 
necessity  of  holiness  and  faith  in  order  to  salvation. 
When  I  grew  up,  I  recollect  that  I  was  sometimes 
exercised  very  seriously  with  the  consideration  of 
eternity,  and  the  necessity  of  preparing  for  it ;  with 
the  thoughts  of  sin  and  my  liableness  to  misery, 
which  led  me  to  the  exercise  of  prayer,  in  which  I 
fear  I  too  much  rested,  though  I  had  found  my  heart 
sometimes  much  softened,  and  thought  I  had  some 
freedom  in  receiving  and  resting  on  Jesus  Christ  for 
salvation.  The  sins  of  my  heart  and  frequent  falls 
prevented  me  from  forming  any  conclusive  judgment 
that  my  state  w^as  good,  though  I  had  some  hope 
that  I  had  such  a  view  of  my  sins  as  had  led  me  to 
Jesus  Christ,  and  that  I  had  a  prevailing  love  to 
God  and  holiness. 

"  When  I  was  about  thirteen  years  old,  I  was  put 
to  the  grammar  school,  at  which  I  continued  till  I 


CHURCH    IN    MERCERSBURG.  109 

had  read  the  Greek  and  Latin  classics,  Logic,  Meta- 
physics, and  Moral  Philosopliy.  After  this,  my 
father  not  judging  that  he  could  bear  the  expense 
of  sending  me  to  college  immediately,  I  came  to 
West  Conococheague,  in  Cumberland  (now  Franklin) 
County,  where  I  spent  almost  three  years  in  teaching 
school,  during  which  I  initiated  some  young  boys  in 
the  Latin  language.  During  this  time  I  was,  in 
general,  too  careless  about  the  exercise  of  religion  in 
my  own  soul,  and  recollect  not  anything  very  re- 
markable about  such  exercises,  until  at  the  celebra- 
tion of  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  at  East 
Conococheague,  by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Steel  and  Roan, 
— the  first  time  that  I  joined  to  partake  in  that  solemn 
ordinance, — when  I  found  myself  unusually  impressed 
with  the  concerns  of  religion,  and  in  the  exercise  of 
prayer  before  and  in  the  work  of  communion  during 
the  service,  had  much  freedom  in  devoting  myself 
to  Christ  and  receiving  him.  Yet  still,  afterwards, 
I  had  reason  to  complain  of  my  heart,  as  careless 
about  religion,  and  too  vain  and  prone  to  diversions 
and  unprofitable  and  hurtful  pastimes,  as  well  as 
inclined  to  know  sin  too  much. 

''  The  Indian  war  increasing  in  1763,  my  sister  that 
lived  here  being  killed  by  the  Indians,  and  the  school 
declining,  I  quitted  this  part  and  returned  to  Little 
Britain,  in  Lancaster  County,  the  place  of  my  birth 
and  education.  There  I  continued  until  the  middle 
of  the  fall,  1764,  in  great  perplexity  about  the  manner 
of  life  I  should  engage  in.  I  had  often  entertained 
10 


110  CHURCHES     OF    THE    VALLEY. 

a  thought  of  the  ministry,  but  for  many  -winters  had 
been  prone  to  a  hoarseness,  and  my  voice  weak  at 
best,  I  concluded,  after  much  exercise  in  prayer  for 
light  in  the  determination,  to  lay  that  aside  and  apply 
myself  to  the  study  of  physic.  I  went  to  Philadel- 
phia, and  there  agreed  with  Dr.  John  Boyd,  as  an 
apprentice.  Returned  home,  and  set  off  for  Balti- 
more, where  I  continued  near  three  months,  when 
Dr.  Boyd,  who  had  been  at  Philadelphia  for  the  re- 
covery of  his  health,  returned  home.  I  found  that 
the  place  did  not  suit  me,  as  he,  at  that  time,  dealt 
as  an  apothecary  and  followed  not  the  practice  of 
medicine.  I  again  came  home,  after  much  loss  of 
time  and  money,  and  still  intent  on  the  practice  of 
medicine,  went  to  Philadelphia,  applied  to  Dr.  Kearsly, 
and  had  nearly  agreed  with  him,  which  probably 
would  have  fixed  my  condition  in  that  way ;  but  in 
the  mean  time  was  led,  by  the  advice  of  my  first 
Latin  master,  Thomas  McGee,  to  go  and  consult  Dr. 
Allison,  Vice-Provost  of  the  College,  on  that  head. 
The  Doctor  advised  me  warmly  to  desist  in  my  at- 
tempts towards  physic,  and  to  enter  College  with  a 
view  to  the  ministry.  I  reflected  on  the  various  pro- 
vidences with  which  I  had  been  exercised  in  the 
matter,  and  followed  his  advice.  I  entered  College 
May  6th,  1765,  and  commenced,  A.  B.,  May  20th, 
1766.  Having  returned  home,  I  applied  myself  to 
the  study  of  divinity  till  March  11th,  1767,  when  I 
entered  upon  trials  for  the  ministry  in  the  Second 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERSBURG.  Ill 

Philadelphia  Presbytery,  and  was  licensed  to  preach 
on  the  13th  day  of  August  following. 

"  The  most  of  that  fall  and  ensuing  winter,  I 
preached  at  New  London,  in  the  bounds  of  the  New 
Castle  Presbytery,  having  paid  a  visit  to  West  Cono- 
cocheague  before  the  winter.  Near  the  opening  of 
the  spring,  I  was  invited  to  Conococheague,  by  the 
congregation  of  which  I  am  now  the  pastor.  After 
accepting  their  call,  I  was  received  on  trials  in  the 
Donegal  Presbytery.  April  11th,  1769,  I  delivered 
my  first  trial  discourses ;  and  on  the  30th  day  of 
August  following,  was  ordained  and  installed  as 
Pastor  of  the  Church  at  Upper  West  Conococheague. 
During  all  these  changes,  my  exercises  about  religion 
had  been  various,  but  a  prevailing  desire  to  glorify 
God  in  being  useful  to  immortal  souls,  I  trust,  was 
my  ruling  motive  in  entering  into  this  great  and 
awful  service ;  while  the  consideration  of  the  pre- 
mentioned  providential  dispensations,  the  talents 
which  God  has  given  me  (which  however  small  in 
comparison  of  others)  I  thought  might  render  me, 
through  grace,  of  some  use  in  the  Christian  Church, 
and  the  unanimous  call  of  this  people,  led  me  to  think 
it  my  duty  to  enter  upon  this  work.  0  may  God 
forgive  my  innumerable  neglects  and  miscarriages  in 
it,  and  strengthen  my  dependence  on  his  all-sufficient 
grace,  to  enable  me  for  the  future  more  faithfully  to 
discharge  the  important  duties  of  it !  Having  settled 
in  this  congregation  in  June,  1768,  I  was  married 
to  Elizabeth  McDowell,  the  third  daughter  of  Mr. 


112  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

John  McDowell,  of  this  place,  on  April  2d,  1771, 
and  have  continued  in  the  enjoyment  of  agreeable 
circumstances  until  now.  I  had  been  always  healthy 
and  visited  with  no  considerable  sickness,  until  in 
September,  1775,  when  I  fell  into  a  dangerous  fever." 

Thus  far  we  have  given  Dr.  King's  autobiography. 
We  now  follow  the  Rev.  Dr.  McKnight  in  his  funeral 
sermon. 

"Dr.  King  was  Pastor  of  this  Congregation  for 
forty-two  years.  During  the  last  six  years  of  his 
life,  he  laboured  under  a  rheumatic  complaint,  with 
which  he  was  severely  afflicted,  and  which  baffled 
every  medical  application.  For  four  years,  however, 
of  this  time,  he  continued  in  the  exercise  of  his  mi- 
nistry, in  the  latter  part  of  which,  his  limbs  were  so 
enfeebled  that  he  was  not  able  to  stand,  and  officiated 
in  a  chair  fixed  in  the  pulpit.  Finding  his  complaint 
still  increasing,  and  his  prospects  of  usefulness,  in  a 
public  capacity,  at  an  end,  he  resigned  his  charge 
September,  1811.  His  complaint  continued  to  in- 
crease, and  his  bodily  strength  to  decline,  until  he 
became  utterly  helpless.  Some  time  before  his  death, 
he  was  seized  with  a  violent  fever,  which  brought  his 
natural  life  to  a  close.  He  died  July  15th,  1813,  in 
the  seventy-third  year  of  his  age. 

"  Dr.  King  was  a  man  of  good  natural  parts,  which 
he  diligently  cultivated.  And  in  particular,  from 
the  time  of  his  being  settled  in  the  ministry,  being 
placed  in  favourable  circumstances  for  study,  he  in- 
dustriously improved  what  time  he  could  redeem  from 


CHURCH     IN    MERCERSBURG.  113 

the  immediate  duties  of  his  office,  in  acquiring  the 
knowledge  of  all  those  branches  of  literature  and 
science  which  tended  to  respectability  and  usefulness. 
Besides  being  a  good  Latin  and  Greek  scholar,  he 
had  a  competent  acquaintance  with  the  Hebrew  and 
the  French.  He  had  studied  Natural  and  Moral 
Philosophy,  Astronomy,  the  Mathematics,  and  Logic 
with  attention,  and  had  a  considerable  general  know- 
ledge of  Chemistry.  He  had  paid  considerable  at- 
tention to  Ecclesiastical  History.  With  Divinity 
and  its  several  branches,  he  was  well  acquainted. 
Influenced  by  his  well-known  and  established  cha- 
racter, as  a  scholar  and  a  divine,  the  Trustees  of 
Dickinson  College,  at  one  of  its  first  commencements 
in  the  College,  viz.,  in  the  year  1792,  conferred  on 
him  the  degree  of  D.D.  In  the  same  year,  he  was 
elected  Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly. 

"Dr.  King  was  the  author  of  several  small  publica- 
tions, particularly  a  Catechism  for  the  instruction  of 
youth  in  the  principles  of  the  Christian  religion,  and 
more  especially  calculated  to  fortify  them  against 
the  spirit  of  scepticism  and  infidelity  which,  at  the 
time  of  its  publication,  threatened  to  corrupt  the 
principles  and  morals  of  many;  of  some  pieces  in  the 
Assembly's  Magazine,  on  the  subject  of  a  man's 
marrying  his  former  wife's  sister ;  of  a  Dissertation 
on  the  Prophecies,  referring  to  the  present  times,  &c. 
As  a  companion.  Dr.  King  was  sociable,  cheerful, 
and  instructing.  As  a  friend,  he  was  sincere,  afi'ec- 
tionate,  uniform,  and  faithful.  In  his  principles.  Dr. 
10^ 


114      CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

King  was  strictly  orthodox — a  uniform  and  warm 
friend  of  the  great  doctrines  of  grace.  His  piety 
was  rational  and  warm.  His  life  fully  corresponded 
with  his  profession,  and  he  has  left  behind  him  a 
character  unsullied  by  a  blot.  He  evinced  an  in- 
creasing concern  for  the  interests  of  Zion ;  and,  so 
far  from  being  of  a  bigoted  or  contracted  spirit,  he 
held  friendly  intercourse  with  persons  of  different 
denominations,  and  was  ready  to  countenance  and 
encourage  all  who  appeared  desirous  of  promoting 
the  cause  of  religion.  He  was  ready  to  distribute, 
and  willing  to  communicate  to  every  real  object  of 
charity  that  presented  itself,  and  to  such  literary 
institutions  as  promised  to  be  useful.  Though  his 
afflictions  were  severe  and  of  long  continuance,  and 
though  he  was  considerably  advanced  in  years,  yet 
he  retained,  until  very  near  the  close  of  his  life,  his 
intellectual  powers,  very  little  impaired.  His  mind 
was  still  vigorous  and  active. 

"Let  us  now  take  a  view  of  the  state  of  his  mind 
under  his  affliction,  and  in  prospect  of  his  approach- 
ing dissolution.  And  here  I  shall  introduce  a  com- 
munication on  the  subject  from  Mr.  Elliott,  your 
present  worthy  pastor: — 'I  visited  Dr.  King,'  re- 
marks Mr.  Elliott,  '  some  weeks  before  his  death,  and 
during  his  last  illness.  He  entered  into  an  animated 
conversation  with  respect  to  his  views  of  religion, 
and  the  peculiar  experiences  of  his  mind.  He  spoke 
in  exalted  terms  of  the  doctrines  of  grace,  as  the 
only  foundation  of  a  sinner's  hopes.      He  said  he 


CHURCH     IN     MEllCERSBURG.  115 

could  see  nothing  in  his  past  life  which  afforded  him 
any  ground  of  dependence,  and  that  lie  had  no  hope 
from  any  other  quarter,  but  from  the  glorious  scheme 
of  redemption,  as  revealed  in  the  word  of  God.  "iVb 
other  ivay  /"  said  he :  "  Nothing  luill  do  hut  this  /"  lie 
observed  that  he  frequently  felt  a  desire  to  be  more 
fully  acquainted  with  the  glorious  character  of  God 
than  what  perhaps  was  justifiable.  He  believed 
Christians  ought  to  be  careful  not  to  transcend  the 
limits  assigned  them  in  the  word  of  God,  adding, 
Hhat  the  word  was  our  only  standard  and  directory 
with  respect  to  the  great  mysteries  of  religion,  and 
that  to  it  we  ought  to  keep  close.'  During  the  in- 
tervals of  fever,  when  his  mind  was  capable  of  regular 
exertion,  he  said  he  was  generally  in  prayer  for  him- 
self and  others.  He  was  much  afraid  that  he  was 
too  desirous  to  depart.  He  longed  for  the  time  when 
he  should  be  delivered  from  his  affliction.  But  he 
frequently  observed,  that  he  strove  and  prayed  against 
an  improper  solicitude,  wishing  to  wait  the  Lord's 
time. 

"  *  About  two  weeks  after  the  above  conversation, 
and  about  ten  days  before  his  death,  I  was  present 
at  his  bedside,  and  upon  his  complaining  that  he 
suffered  much,  I  observed  that  I  hoped  he  received 
abundant  support  from  above.  "  0  yes,"  said  he,  "Z 
am  greatly  sicjyported."  He  then  observed  that  he 
had  been  strongly  tempted,  some  time  before,  to 
doubt  with  respect  to  the  foundation  of  his  hopes ; 
and  whether  that  system  of  truth  on  which  he  had 


116      CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

built  his  faith  was  agreeable  to  the  word  of  God. 
Convinced  that  he  had,  long  ago,  carefully  examined 
into  the  ground  of  his  belief,  he  sought  comfort  in 
prayer  to  God,  and  it  was  not  long  till  he  experienced 
it.  '■''  Iliave  now^'"  said  he,  with  a  tear  of  joy  sparkling 
in  his  eye,  '^  I  have  noiv  no  doubt  of  my  love  to  God. 
He  is  the  most  gloynous  of  all  objects.  None  other  can 
be  compared  to  him!''  Thus  lived  and  thus  died  this 
servant  of  the  Lord.  Both  in  his  life  and  by  his 
death,  he  has  borne  honourable  testimony  to  the  re- 
ligion of  Jesus,  of  which  he  was  a  professor,  and  of 
which  he  was  a  minister.  Having  done  much,  and 
suffered  much  according  to  the  will  of  God,  he  has 
"fallen  asleep,"  and  has  been  gathered  to  his 
fathers.'  " 


PERIOD    III. 

FROM  THE  SETTLEMENT  OF  THE  REV.  DAVID  ELLIOTT,  D.D.,  AS 
PASTOR,  A.D.  1812,  TO  THE  CLOSE  OF  HIS  MINISTRY  IN  THIS 
CHURCH,  A.  D.  1829. 

After  an  interval  of  about  a  year  from  the  resig- 
nation of  Dr.  King,  the  congregation  invited  the  Rev. 
David  Elliott,  a  Licentiate  of  the  Carlisle  Presbytery, 
to  become  their  Pastor.  He  having  accepted  the 
invitation,  was  ordained  and  installed,  October  7th, 
A.  D.  1812.       The  number  of  families  belonging  to 


CHURCH    IN    MERCERSBURG.  117 

the  congregation  at  the  time  of  his  settlement  -was 
one  hundred  and  thirty-seven. 

In  1813,  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  St.  Thomas 
■was  organized ;  most  of  the  families  and  members  of 
which  were  connected  with  this  Church.  This  new 
organization  was  found  to  be  expedient  on  account 
of  the  increase  of  the  population  of  that  district  of 
country,  and  their  distance  from  our  places  of  worship, 
which  rendered  it  difficult  for  them  to  attend  upon 
the  public  means  of  grace.  By  the  organization  of 
the  Church  at  St.  Thomas,  the  limits  of  this  congre- 
gation became  still  more  circumscribed :  and  yet  in 
the  end,  it  has  resulted  more  in  the  furtherance  of 
the  Gospel,  than  if  the  parts  separated  had  continued 
in  connexion  with  us. 

In  1814,  the  following  persons  were  added  to  the 
Session :  Messrs.  Thomas M'Dowell,  David Dunwoody, 
and  John  M'Coy  (of  John).  In  1815,  the  Sabbath 
School  was  commenced.  It  was  begun  amidst  great 
difficulties  and  discouragements.  At  this  early 
period,  it  was  a  new  thing  in  the  Christian  Church 
in  this  region.  But  by  the  perseverance  of  the  few 
who  had  engaged  in  it,  not  only  did  they  see  it  begin, 
but  they  were  also  permitted  to  see  it  subsequently 
in  full  and  efficient  operation.  And  from  that  time 
to  the  present,  though  attended  with  many  fluctua- 
tions, its  exercises  have  never  been  suspended  for 
any  length  of  time.  How  much  good  has  been 
achieved  by  it,  in  its  nearly  forty  years'  existence, 
Eternity   alone    will    disclose.       Impressions   have 


118  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

doubtless  been  made  upon  the  minds  of  those  who 
have  been,  and  those  who  are  now  scholars,  which 
can  never  be  effaced.  And  though,  for  a  time,  the 
seed  which  has  been  sown  may  seem  to  be  lost,  yet 
under  the  life-giving  influence  of  God's  Spirit,  it  may 
still  issue  in  a  rich  and  glorious  harvest. 

The  year  1818  is  memorable  in  the  history  of  this 
Church  for  the  establishment  of  the  Social  Prayer- 
Meeting.  The  circumstances  which  led  to  its  forma- 
tion are  thus  related  in  a  letter  from  Dr.  Elliott. 
"  The  want  of  some  meeting  of  this  kind  had  been 
sensibly  felt  by  me,  from  the  time  of  my  settlement, 
but  the  difficulty  of  getting  suitable  persons  to  lead, 
prevented  an  earlier  attempt  to  organize  one.  After 
the  removal  of  Mr.  James  MTarland  to  town,  it  was 
a  frequent  subject  of  conversation  between  him, 
Major  Brownson,  and  myself.  Finally,  one  Sabbath 
afternoon,  Mr.  M'Farland,  Mr.  George  King,  Major 
Brownson  and  myself  were  together  at  Mr.  MTar- 
land's.  The  prayer-meeting  became  the  topic  of  con- 
versation, and  it  was  agreed  that  we  would  attempt 
its  organization.  This  being  agreed  upon,  I  re- 
marked to  them,  that  it  was  the  best  time  to  begin 
immediately,  and  that  we  should  date  the  commence- 
ment of  the  meeting  from  that  afternoon.  This  was 
assented  to,  and  after  spending  some  time  in  social 
prayer,  we  adjourned  to  meet  again  on  the  next 
Sabbath  afternoon,  or  perhaps  that  day  two  weeks. 
In  the  mean  time  we  mentioned  the  subject  as  we 
had  opportunity,  to  several  of  those  who  we  supposed 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERSBURO.  119 

would  favour  the  object.  A  few  additional  persons 
attended  the  next. day;  and  in  a  few  weeks  the 
meetings  were  so  large  that  we  held  them  in  Mr. 
Cowan's  shop.  In  these  meetings  we  had  many  de- 
lightful seasons."  And  thus  from  this  small  begin- 
ning, did  one  of  the  most  important  means  of  grace 
in  this  Church  take  its  origin.  And  from  that  time 
onward  has  it  been  continued  ;  sometimes  flourishing 
and  at  other  times  depressed  ;  but  at  all  times  a  source 
of  richest  consolation,  and  a  means  of  quickening  and 
of  encouragement  to  those  who  attend  it  in  a  becoming 
spirit. 

In  1819,  the  congregation  having  so  increased,  it 
was  found  necessary  to  erect  in  the  country  a  new 
house  of  worship.  The  old  church  had  been  twice 
enlarged,  but  was  still  insufficient  to  accommodate  the 
congregation.  The  new  church  edifice  was  com- 
pleted in  1820  :  it  cost  near  six  thousand  dollars. 
About  this  time  the  cono;reo;ation  was  in  a  condition 
the  most  flourishing  and  prosperous.  It  numbered 
upwards  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  families,  and 
had  connected  with  it  two  Bible  classes ;  the  female 
consisting  of  one  hundred  and  seven  members,  and  the 
male  of  seventy.  This  prosperous  state  of  things,  how- 
ever, did  not  long  continue.  A  change  took  place, 
which,  carrying  its  influence  through  a  series  of  years, 
so  greatly  diminished  the  congregation  in  numbers, 
that  it  has  never  fully  recovered  from  it.  The  fol- 
lowing causes  may  be  mentioned  as  bringing  about  this 
change : 


120      CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

1.  The  organization  of  a  clmrch  in  Loudon.  This 
took  place  in  1820,  and  was  the  means  of  taking  off 
a  number  of  families,  which  had  been  connected  with 
this  congregation.  After  it  was  organized,  it  enjoyed 
for  several  years  the  ministerial  labours  of  the  Rev. 
Isaac  Kellar  ;  and  subsequently  those  of  the  Rev. 
Robert  Kennedy ;  but  it  has  since  become  extinct. 

2.  Another  cause  was  a  change  in  the  times.  Prior 
to  this,  everything  appeared  to  be  in  the  most  pros- 
perous condition.  Providence  had  smiled  upon  the 
labours  of  the  husbandman,  and  the  earth  had 
yielded  her  increase.  Our  commerce  was  whitening 
every  sea ;  and  our  manufactories  were  accumulating 
vast  wealth  for  their  owners.  The  expansion  of  the 
credit  system  was  never  greater;  and  our  citizens 
began  to  feel  that  they  were  in  the  full  tide  of  pros- 
perity. But  a  change  ensued.  The  smiles  of  Provi- 
dence were  withdrawn.  Judgment  began  to  be  min- 
gled with  mercies.  And  the  i^ressure  became  uni- 
versal throughout  the  whole  extent  of  our  country. 
It  was  felt  here  also.  Not  a  few  of  our  farmers,  who 
had  purchased  their  lands  at  enormous  prices,  and 
others  who  had  made  improvements  at  a  great  ex- 
pense, were  so  affected  by  this  '  change  of  times,' 
that  to  meet  their  liabilities  their  all  was  swept  from 
them.  It  is  supposed  that  by  this  reverse  of  fortune 
more  than  half  a  score  of  the  best  families  and  sup- 
porters of  this  congregation  were  almost  entirely 
ruined  in  their  temporal  circumstances.  0  that  men 
would  profit  by  the  history  of  the  past  I      How  vain 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERSBURG.  121 

and  fleeting  are  all  earthly  possessions  !  "  Riches 
make  to  themselves  wings."  Why  not  then,  from 
such  considerations  as  these,  give  heed  to  our  Saviour's 
counsel:  "Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasures  upon 
earth,  "svhere  moth  and  rust  do  corrupt,  and  where 
thieves  break  through  and  steal ;  but  lay  up  for 
yourselves  treasures  in  heaven,  where  neither  moth 
nor  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  where  thieves  do  not 
break  through  nor  steal."     (Matt.  vi.  19,  20.) 

3.  But  there  was  still  another  cause,  which  was 
far  more  felt  in  this  respect  than  either  of  the  pre- 
ceding. In  the  years  1821, '22,  and  '23,  an  epidemic 
sickness  prevailed  to  so  great  an  extent,  that  the 
whole  neighbourhood  resembled  a  vast  hospital.  The 
number  of  those  in  health  were  almost  insufficient, 
in  many  places,  to  take  care  of  the  sick.  The  effect 
of  this  visitation  was,  that  in  the  first  mentioned  year 
twenty-five  persons  died;  and  in  the  latter,  forty-five 
— thus  making  an  aggregate  of  seventy-Uvo  persons 
within  two  years.  And  of  these  seventy-two,  many 
were  members  of  the  church  in  full  communion ;  many 
were  heads  of  families;  and  some  of  them  among  the 
most  liberal  contributors  to  the  support  of  the  Gospel. 
So  extensive  and  so  rapid  was  the  work  of  death, 
that  in  a  period  of  nine  years,  commencing  in  1820, 
not  less  than  one  hundred  and  thirty  communicating 
members  became  its  victims, — a  number  equal  to  that 
which,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  would  not 
occur  in  eighteen  years.  On  these  scenes  of  sadness 
and  sorrow  I  will  not  dwell.  They  are  deeply  im- 
11 


122  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

pressed  upon  the  minds  and  hearts  of  many  among 
us.  Many  there  are  who  in  the  rending  of  relation- 
ships the  closest  and  most  endearing  on  earth,  will 
^ever  forget  the  poignancy  of  that  grief,  which 
during  that  distressing  season,  was  poured  forth  more 
than  once,  around  the  bed  of  their  dying,  or  at  the 
grave  of  their  departed  friends.  With  these  im- 
pressions still  vivid  and  deeply  fixed  in  the  mind, 
may  they  have  the  consciousness  and  the  evidence, 
that  they  have  been  sanctified  to  them.  ^Tor  the 
Lord  will  not  cast  ofi"  for  ever :  but  though  He  cause 
grief,  yet  will  He  have  compassion,  according  to  the 
multitude  of  his  mercies.  For  He  doth  not  afflict 
willingly,  nor  grieve  the  children  of  men.  " 

In  1822,  the  following  persons  were  added  to  the 
Session :  Messrs.  John  Brownson,  John  McCoy  (of 
Robert),  and  William  Crawford.  In  1825,  the  Fe- 
male Domestic  Missionary  Society  was  formed.  At 
first,  it  was  auxiliary  to  the  Foreign  Missionary 
Society,  but  subsequently  changed  its  relation,  and 
became  auxiliary  to  our  Domestic  Board.  At  its 
first  formation  it  numbered  eighty-three  members. 
The  total  amount  of  funds  contributed  since  its 
organization  is  one  thousand  dollars.  It  is  worthy 
of  remark,  that  probably  there  is  not  another  society 
of  the  kind  within  the  bounds  of  our  Synod,  which 
has  been  in  existence  for  so  long  a  time,  or  which  has 
operated  more  efficiently.  What  may  be  the  fruits 
of  these  ofi*erings  of  love,  will  not  be  known  in  time ; 
although  even  here,  the  hearts   of  its  members  may 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERS  BURG.  123 

be  gladdened,  as  by  the  reports  of  our  missionaries 
they  hear  of  churches  formed  ^vhcre  before  they  did 
not  exist ;  of  feeble  ones,  strengthened  and  supplied 
"with  the  ministry  of  reconciliation  ;  of  saints,  built  up 
in  holiness  and  comforted ;  and  of  sinners  converted 
to  God.  Long  may  it  continue  to  prosper ;  may  the 
list  of  its  members  increase ;  may  its  contributions 
be  augmented  a  hundred  fold ;  and  may  the  blessing 
of  the  Most  High  descend  upon  the  giver  and  the 
gift! 

In  1826,  Messrs.  Alexander  McCoy  and  James 
Culbertson  were  added  to  the  Session. 

The  year  1828  is  memorable  in  the  history  of  this 
church  for  a  revival  of  religion.  The  history  of  this 
interesting  work  of  grace,  I  give  in  the  words  of  Dr. 
Elliott.  "It  was  in  the  fall  of  1828  that  God 
visited  this  church  with  a  season  of  reviving  grace. 
The  work  was  chiefly  confined  to  that  branch  of  the 
church  which  was  in  town.  It  commenced  rather 
suddenly,  and  to  me,  unexpectedly.  I  had  been 
mourning  over  the  low  state  of  religion — particularly 
the  worldly  spirit  which  prevailed.  On  the  Sabbath 
preceding  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  at  Newville, 
I  preached  on  the  Parable  of  the  Talents.  I  felt 
unusual  liberty,  and  a  deep  and  solemn  concern  for 
the  salvation  of  sinners.  The  people  appeared 
very  solemn  and  tender.  At  the  prayer-meeting  in 
the  afternoon  there  was  great  solemnity  and  some 
weeping.  Having  seen  these  things  several  times 
before,  I  attached  no  great  importance  to  them.    The 


124  CHURCHES     OF     THE     V  A  L  L  E  Y. 

next  day  I  left  for  Presbytery;  —  reported  to  the 
Presbytery  a  low  and  formal  state  of  religion;  re- 
mained abroad  the  next  Sabbath,  assisting  with  a 
communion  service  ;  and  returned  home  early  the 
week  following.  No  sooner  had  I  reached  home,  than 
I  was  greeted  with  the  intelligence,  that  their  prayer- 
meetings  in  town  seemed  to  be  visited  with  the 
special  tokens  of  God's  presence  ;  and  that  the  solem- 
nity and  tenderness  which  appeared  on  the  Sabbath 
before  I  left,  had  increased,  and  that  many  evinced 
great  anxiety  about  their  souls.  I  immediately  pro- 
ceeded to  town,  and  found  all  to  be  as  stated.  Re- 
ligion was  the  engrossing  subject  of  conversation, 
and  the  people  of  God  prayed  in  a  manner  very 
different  from  that  in  which  they  had  done  before. 
Things  progressed  in  this  way  for  some  time.  The 
work  did  not  extend,  as  I  expected  it  would,  through 
other  parts  of  the  congregation ;  although  there  was 
some  increase  of  attention  on  the  part  of  the  people 
generally."  As  the  fruits  of  this  work  of  grace,  it 
may  be  stated,  that  twenty-four  persons  were  added 
to  the  church  on  profession  of  their  faith. 

Dr.  Elliott  having  received  an  invitation  to  become 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Washington,  Pennsylvania, 
and  having  accepted  it,  resigned  the  pastoral  charge 
of  this  church,  October  29th,  1829.  During  his 
ministry,  he  baptized  six  hundred  and  fifty-five  per- 
sons ;  and  there  were  admitted  to  the  communion  of 
the  Church  three  hundred  and  forty :  on  profession, 
two    hundred   and    sixty-one  ;    and    by    certificate, 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERS  BURG.  125 

seventy-nine.  Dr.  Elliott,  as  a  man  and  as  a  minister 
of  our  Lord,  needs  no  panegyric.  His  name  is  in  all 
the  churches.  It  has  become  identified  with  our 
Church  at  large.  It  forms  part  of  its  history.  And 
so  long  as  soundness  in  the  faith  is  appreciated,  and 
the  Presbyterian  form  of  Church  Government  and 
its  discipline  are  respected,  the  name  of  Elliott  will 
shine  forth  with  resplendent  lustre.  During  the 
seventeen  years  that  he  was  pastor,  he  made  full 
proof  of  his  ministry.  Many  among  us  are  the  seals 
of  his  ministry,  and  will  arise  to  call  him  "blessed." 
Long  may  he  live  to  honour  his  Divine  Master  in  the 
work  in  which  he  is  engaged  ! 


PERIOD    IV. 

FROM    THE     CLOSE    OF    BR.    ELLIOTT's      MINISTRY    IN    THIS    CHURCH, 
A.  D.   1829,  TO    THE    PRESENT    TIME,  A.  D.   1852. 

On  the  17th  of  November,  1831,  two  years  after 
the  close  of  Dr.  Elliott's  ministry,  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Creigh — a  licentiate  of  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle — 
was  ordained,  and  installed  Pastor  of  this  church. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1832,  this  church 
was  again  visited  with  a  revival  of  religion,  which 
commenced  with  great  power  during  a  Protracted 
Meeting  held  in  the  month  of  February ;  although 
there  had  been  indications,  before  this,  of  a  change 
for  the  better.  As  the  fruits  of  this  gracious  out- 
pouring of  the  Spirit,  one  hundred  and  seven  persons 
11* 


126      CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

were  added  to  the  church  that  year.  Of  these,  forty- 
five  were  males  ;  sixty-two  were  females  ;  and  thirty- 
five  were  heads  of  families.  In  regard  to  the 
character  of  this  work,  it  may  be  remarked,  that 
while  there  were  some  measures  used  of  a  very  ques- 
tionable tendency — although  in  accordance  with  the 
spirit  of  the  times — yet,  if  there  have  ever  been 
genuine  revivals  of  religion,  this  deserves  to  be  clas- 
sified with  them.  Unworthy  members  will  find  ad- 
mittance to  the  Communion  of  the  church,  even 
when  the  greatest  vigilance  has  been  used  to  guard 
its  portals.  Among  our  Saviour's  own  immediate 
followers — his  chosen  twelve — there  was  a  Judas. 
And  He  has  given  us  intimation  in  the  "  parable  of 
the  wheat  and  the  tares,"  that  the  "visible  church" 
will  be  a  mixed  society,  until  "  the  Day  of  Judg- 
ment," when  He  will  separate  the  righteous  from  the 
wicked.  Why,  then,  should  we  look  for  a  different 
state  of  things  from  that  which  now  exists  ?  Ar- 
dently as  we  pray  for,  and  earnestly  as  we  desire  it, 
we  cannot  expect  it  fully,  while  the  Church  is  in  an 
imperfect  state.  I  would  then  briefly  add,  that  after 
a  period  of  nearly  twenty  years  since  these  one  hun- 
dred and  seven  persons  were  received  into  the  Church, 
the  following  is  the  result.  Seventeen  have  died; 
forty  have  received  letters  of  dismission  to  other 
churches ;  six  have  removed  without  taking  certifi- 
cates, and  of  whose  residence  we  are  ignorant,  but 
who,  for  aught  we  know,  may  be,  at  the  present 
time,  consistent  members  of  other  churches;  three 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERS  BURG.  127 

have  been  the  subjects  of  church  discipline  ;  and  one 
has  been  ordained  to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel ; 
"while  all  the  rest  arc  still  in  connexion  "with  us,  and 
are  in  good  and  regular  standing.  I  simply  ask,  even 
when  persons  are  received  into  the  communion  of  the 
Church  in  the  ordinary  way — when  there  is  no  spe- 
cial interest  on  the  subject  of  religion — whether  any 
Church  Register  presents  a  more  favourable  result  ? 
To  God  alone  be  all  the  praise  ! 

In  this  same  year,  1832,  the  Female  Sewing 
Society  was  organized,  the  object  of  which  was  to 
educate  poor  and  pious  young  men  for  the  Gospel 
ministry.  After  a  short  time,  however,  it  changed 
its  relation,  and  became  auxiliary  to  the  Foreign 
Missionary  Society,  and  has  educated  a  heathen 
youth  in  the  Orphan  Asylum  at  Futtehgurh,  in 
North  India,  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Henry 
R.  Wilson,  and  who  bears  the  name  of  their  former 
much-loved  pastor,  David  Elliott.  The  amount  of 
funds  contributed  since  the  formation  of  this  society 
is  six  hundred  dollars. 

In  1833,  the  following  persons  were  added  to  the 
Session :  Messrs.  John  AVitherspoon,  John  McCul- 
lough,  and  John  Dorrance. 

In  the  winter  of  1842  and  '43,  this  church  was 
again  visited  with  a  revival  of  religion.  During  the 
nine  months  immediately  following  its  commence- 
ment, thirty-four  persons  were  received  into  the  com- 
munion of  the  Church,  on  profession  of  their  faith. 
Of  those  who  were  then   received,   seventeen   have 


128  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

been  dismissed,  and  two  have  entered  the  ministry. 
Not  a  case  has  occurred  requiring  the  exercise  of  the 
discipline  of  the  Church,  The  manner  in  which  this 
revival  was  conducted  ;  the  truths  which  were  pre- 
sented, and  the  manner  in  which  they  were  exhibited; 
the  instructions  which  were  given  to  the  inquiring ; 
and  the  care  which  was  exercised  in  receiving  appli- 
cants into  the  membership  of  the  Church,  afforded  us 
every  reasonable  ground  from  which  to  expect  the 
most  favourable  results. 

In  1844,  the  church  edifice  in  town  was  repaired, 
new-modelled,  and  a  vestibule  added  to  it.  The  ex- 
pense of  repairing  and  furnishing  it  was  two  thousand 
dollars.  It  was  occupied  for  the  first  time,  January 
12th,  1845,  on  which  occasion  the  pastor  gave  an 
historical  sketch  of  the  church,  from  the  time  of  its 
organization.  In  1849,  the  following  persons  were 
added  to  the  Session : — Messrs.  Andrew  L.  Coyle, 
John  McDowell,  James  Roberts,  and  William  Pat- 
terson. 

In  1849,  a  lecture-room  was  commenced  contiguous 
to  the  church.  It  was  finished  and  furnished  at  an 
expense  of  six  hundred  dollars.  The  first  time  that 
divine  worship  was  held  in  it,  was  August  7th,  1850, 
on  which  occasion  the  pastor  delivered  a  dedication 
sermon  from  the  words:  "For  where  two  or  three 
are  gathered  together  in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the 
midst  of  them."  (Matt,  xviii.  20.)  Prior  to  this,  our 
social  meetings  were  held  in  the  houses  of  the  families 
belonging  to  the   church  in   town.      "VYe  had  forty 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERSBURQ.  120 

places  of  meeting,  -which  required  nine  months  to 
complete  their  circuit. 

During  a  part  of  this  period  wliicli  has  been 
claiming  our  attention,  our  Church  at  large  was 
agitated  by  a  difference  of  opinion,  chiefly  in  refe- 
rence to  doctrines  and  polity,  and  which  resulted  in 
a  division,  in  1838,  known  by  the  names  of  Old  School 
and  New  School.  In  all  this  controversy,  which  was 
deep  and  wide,  spread  throughout  the  whole  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land,  while  hei^e,  too,  intense 
interest  was  felt  in  relation  to  it,  yet  as  a  church  we 
have  stood  fast  in  the  faith  of  our  fathers.  Nor,  at 
the  present  time,  is  there  a  church,  composed  of  as 
many  members,  more  harmonious,  or  more  united,  or 
more  cordial  in  their  adherence  to  the  symbols  of  our 
faith,  as  taught  in  the  Westminster  Confession  of 
Faith,  Catechisms,  and  Form  of  Government.  We 
record  the  fact  as  a  matter  of  sincere  and  heartfelt 
thankfulness. 

In  November,  1851,  the  present  pastor  having 
completed  the  twentieth  year  of  his  ministry  in  this 
church,  delivered  a  sermon  commemorative  of  this 
interesting  event,  from  the  words:  "Then  Samuel 
took  a  stone,  and  set  it  between  Mizpeh  and  Shen, 
and  called  the  name  of  it,  Ebenezer,  saying.  Hitherto 
hath  the  Lord  helped  us."  (1  Sam.  vii.  12.)  It  may 
not  be  out  of  place  to  give  the  concluding  part  of 
this  discourse,  which  exhibits  the  results  of  this  score 
of  years  in  the  pastoral  office  in  this  church : — 
"And,  1st,  The  Families.     When  I  settled  among 


130  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

you,  there  were  connected  -with  this  congregation  one 
hundred  and  forty  families.  There  are  at  the  present 
time  one  hundred  and  fifty-five.  Twenty-two  are 
families  of  colour.  One  hundred  of  them  reside  in 
the  country,  and  fifty-five  in  the  village.  In  all  this 
number  who  compose  this  congregation  at  the  present 
time,  there  are  but  sixty  who  were  here  when  I  be- 
came pastor — so  many  and  so  great  have  been  the 
changes !  And  yet  we  still  retain  the  original  num- 
ber, and  have  fifteen  additional.  2.  Baptisms. — Four 
hundred  and  fourteen  were  baptized  in  infancy,  and 
ninety-six  adults,  making  a  total  of  five  hundred  and 
ten.  8.  Members. — There  have  been  added  to  the 
church,  on  profession  of  their  faith,  four  hundred 
and  eight  members,  and  by  certificate  one  hundred 
and  thirty-two,  making  the  whole  number  five  hun- 
dred and  forty,  or  an  annual  increase  of  twenty-seven. 
At  the  present  time  we  have  three  hundred  and  sixty 
under  our  immediate  oversight.  Of  this  number  two 
hundred  and  forty-two  are  females,  one  hundred  and 
eighteen  are  males,  forty-seven  couples  are  husbands 
and  wives,  thirty-six  are  widows,  and  forty-five  are 
coloured  persons.  Of  those  who  were  members 
twenty  years  ago,  but  seventy-six  remain.  4.  Minis- 
ters.— Seven  young  men  have  been  either  licensed 
or  ordained  to  preach  the  Gospel,  and  two  of  them 
have  gone  forth  as  missionaries  to  preach  Christ  to 
the  heathen.  5.  Marriages. — Two  hundred  and 
twenty-one  marriage  ceremonies  have  been  per- 
formed.      6.     Contributions. — Five    thousand   eight 


CHURCH     IN     MERCERSBURG.  131 

hundred  dollars  have  been  contributed  to  different  be- 
nevolent objects.  7.  Visits. — The  number  which  has 
been  made  amounts  to  seven  thousand  six  hundred, 
or  annually  to  three  hundred  and  eighty-five.  8.  Ser- 
mons, lectures,  and  addresses. — The  number  of  times 
which  I  have  preached,  lectured,  and  given  addresses 
within  the  bounds  of  the  congregation,  is  twenty-three 
hundred ;  and  I  have  in  manuscript  eleven  hundred 
and  thirty  sermons  and  lectures,  nearly  all  of  which 
have  been  prepared  during  my  connexion  Avith  this 
Church.  9.  Deaths. — The  number  of  deaths  which 
have  occurred  within  these  twenty  years  is,  two 
hundred  and  seventy-two.  Of  this  number,  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty-one  were  members  in  full  communion. 
The  ages  of  those  who  have  died  may  be  thus  classi- 
fied :  Fifty  have  died  in  infancy  ;  from  infancy  to 
their  twenty-fifth  year,  thirty  ;  from  their  twenty- 
fifth  to  their  forty-fifth  year,  fifty ;  from  their 
forty-fifth  to  their  sixtieth  year,  forty-five ;  from 
their  sixtieth  to  their  seventieth  year,  thirty ; 
from  their  seventieth  to  their  eightieth  year,  thirty- 
three  ;  and  over  their  eightieth  year,  twenty. 
Among  these  dead,  we  have  to  reckon  four  members 
of  Session," — and  another,  since  this  discourse  was 
delivered,  leaving  but  one  of  the  original  members, 
who  composed  the  Session  when  the  present  pastoral 
relation  was  formed. 


132  CHURCHES     OF    THE    VALLEY. 


CONCLUDING   REMARKS. 

1.  To  God's  care  and  kindness  we  arc  indebted 
for  the  permanency  and  prosperity  of  this  church. 
It  has  had  its  trials  and  its  changes,  but  the  gates  of 
hell  have  not  prevailed  against  it.  At  one  time  in  its 
early  history  it  was  entirely  scattered ;  at  another 
time  it  was  nearly  broken  up  ;  and  a  third  time  it 
was  greatly  diminished  by  death,  in  connexion  with 
pecuniary  embarrassments  :  and  yet,  in  the  midst  of 
all  these  adverse  circumstances,  the  Lord  has  kept 
it.  And  this  day,  after  a  period  of  one  hundred  and 
fourteen  y ear s^  notwithstanding  all  the  disasters  which 
have  befallen  it,  the  number  of  its  families  and  com- 
municants has  not  only  not  diminished,  but  has  been 
greatly  augmented.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  con- 
nected with  the  history  of  this  church,  and  which 
ought  not  to  be  passed  over  unnoticed,  that  for  the 
space  of  eighty-three  years,  as  far  back  as  our  records 
reach  our  Church  has  maintained  its  ground,  as  will  be 
seen  from  the  following  statements  : — In  the  year 
1769,  when  Dr.  King  became  its  pastor,  the  number  of 
families  then  connected  with  it  was  one  hundred  and 
thirty.  In  1789,  twenty  years  afterwards,  he  makes 
the  following  remark  :  "  The  number  of  families 
connected  ivith  this  congregation  is  about  the  same  as 
when  I  settled.''  In  1812,  the  number  was  one  hun- 
dred  and  thirty -seven.      In  1820,  upwards  of  one 


CHURCH    IN    MERCERSBURQ.  133 

hundred  and  seventy.  In  1831,  about  one  hundred 
and  fort  \j — having  been  greatly  diminished  bj  the 
causes  ah-cady  mentioned.  And  at  the  present  time 
(1852),  they  number  one  hundred  and  fifty-jive. 
Thus  has  it  never  sunk  below  the  first-named  number, 
but  has  always  exceeded  it.  And  rarely  has  there 
been  a  communion  season  at  which,  according  to  the 
Register,  there  has  not  been  an  addition  to  its  mem- 
bership. And  thrice  has  it  been  visited  with  the  spe- 
cial tokens  of  Divine  grace.  With  devout  gratitude 
we  record  these  facts ;  and  in  recording  them  we  give 
all  the  glory  to  Him  who  has  brought  them  into 
being.  Ministers  and  members  of  the  Church  may 
labour  and  pray  for  the  building  up  of  Zion,  but  un- 
less God  hears  their  prayers  and  blesses  their  eflforts, 
Zion  cannot  prosper.  "  Not  by  might,  nor  by  power, 
but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts."  Or,  in 
the  expressive  language  of  that  most  laborious  of  all 
Christ's  Apostles,  "  I  have  planted,  Apollos  watered  ; 
but  God  gave  the  increase.  So  then  neither  is  he 
that  planteth  anything,  neither  he  that  watereth,  but 
God,  that  giveth  the  increase." 

2.  If  God  has  thus  prospered  this  Church  for  so 
long  a  time,  let  us  never  yield  to  despondency  in 
regard  to  its  future  condition.  If,  in  looking  back 
upon  its  past  history,  we  can  discover  that  the  Lord 
has  led  it,  and  kept  it,  and  prospered  it,  we  are 
warranted  in  drawing  the  conclusion,  that  if  we  vq- 
TU'dAii  fa  it! fill  to  Yiim,  he  will  continue  to  dwell  among 
us.  These  are  the  terms  : — "  The  Lord  is  with  you 
12 


134      CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

while  you  be  with  him  ;  and  if  ye  seek  him,  he  •will 
be  found  of  you  ;  but  if  ye  forsake  him,  he  will  for- 
sake you."  On  this  principle  He  has  always  acted 
towards  the  Church.  Its  entire  history,  from  its 
commencement  to  the  present  time,  warrants  the  re- 
mark. And  what  is  thus  true  of  the  Church  in 
general,  is  equally  true  in  its  application  to  parti- 
cular churches.  It  is  true  in  relation  to  this  church. 
If  this  church  has  been  preserved  and  prospered,  it 
is  because  it  has  been  faithful  to  its  Head.  If  it 
would  continue  to  prosper,  it  must  continue  in  its 
fidelity  to  its  King.  Its  ministey^  and  its  officers^ 
and  its  memhers,  must  possess  the  Spirit  of  their 
Lord  and  Master  ;  must  follow  closely  in  His  footsteps, 
must  yield  implicit  obedience  to  his  commands  ;  must 
maintain  and  disseminate  the  truth  ;  must  be  united 
to  one  another  in  sentiment  and  in  affection ,  and 
must  labour  and  pray  for  its  welfare.  Thus  living 
and  thus  acting,  God  will  still  bestow  upon  it  the 
choicest  riches  of  His  grace  ;  its  prosperity  shall 
continue  to  increase,  and  its  permanency  shall  be 
rendered  sure. 

And  to  secure  these  ends,  may  all  who  belong  to 
this  Church,  in  humble  dependence  upon  the  grace 
of  our  Divine  Lord,  adopt  the  language  of  the  captive 
Israelites  and  ever  live  under  its  constraining  influence : 
*'  If  I  forget  thee,  0  Jerusalem,  let  my  right  hand 
forget  her  cunning.  If  I  do  not  remember  thee,  let 
my  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth,  if  I 
prefer  not  Jerusalem  above  my  chief  joy  !  Psalm 
cxxxvii,  5,  6. 


135 


CHAPTER  VI. 

WELSH     RUN     CHURCH. 

This  Churcli,  formerly  known  as  "  Lower  West 
Conococheague,"  was  originally  a  part  of  "  Upper 
West  Conococheague,"  or  what  is  now  called  Mer- 
cersburg."  It  was  organized,  A.  D.  1741,  and  grew 
out  of  the  controversy  which  about  that  time  so 
deeply  and  so  extensively  agitated  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  large,  and  ultimately  led  to  a  division 
which  continued  for  seventeen  years.*  But  though 
the  effects  of  this  division  were  felt  here  also,  and 
brought  about  the  formation  of  this  new  interest,  it 
was  what  their  situation  as  a  congregation  required. 
The  territory  covered  by  the  mother  church,  was 
much  too  extensive  to  allow  the  people  to  meet  weekly 
in  the  same  place  of  worship.  And  yet  when  the 
separation  was  made,  it  was  done  with  so  much  good 
feeling,  that  both  churches,  still  adhering  to  the  same 
Presbytery,  were  frequently  represented  in  the  same 
Judicatory  by  the  same  commissioner. 

*  See  Appendix  III. 


136  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

This  church,  at  a  very  early  period  in  its  history 
was  supplied  for  a  season  with  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel  by  a  Rev.  Mr.  Dunlap.  The  church  edifice 
in  which  the  congregation  then  worshipped,  was  burnt 
down  by  the  Indians  in  their  wars  with  the  whites. 
A  second  building  was  afterwards  erected,  which, 
having  undergone  frequent  repairs,  still  stands.  The 
congregations  which  assembled  at  this  place  of 
worship  on  sacramental  occasions  were  so  numerous, 
that  the  church  being  insufficient  to  accommodate 
them,  it  was  not  an  unusual  thing  for  two  ministers 
to  be  preaching  at  the  same  time  ;  the  one  in  the 
church,  and  the  other  in  a  temporary  building,  near 
at  hand,  called  the  Tent.  From  this  circumstance, 
this  place  of  worship  was  sometimes  called  the  "  Tent 
Meeting-House." 

The  Rev.  Thomas  M'Pherrin  having  become 
pastor  of  this  church,  August  17th,  A.  D.  1774,  con- 
tinued in  this  relation  until  October  2d,  A.  D.  1799, 
when  he  resigned  his  charge.  He  died  February  3d, 
A.  D.  1802,  aged  51  years.  Besides  preaching  to 
this  congregation,  he  also  preached  a  part  of  his 
time  to  a  congregation  near  Greencastle,  which  wor- 
shipped in  a  tent  that  stood  on  the  farm  formerly 
belonging  to  Mr.  Andrew  Snively. 

From  the  time  of  Mr.  M'Pherrin's  relinquishment 
of  his  charge,  this  church  became  connected  with  the 
Greencastle  Church,  and  was  supplied  with  the  pas- 
toral services  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Kennedy.  He 
commenced    his    labours    among    them    in     1802, 


WELSH     RUN     CHURCH.  137 

and  continued  In  this  connexion  until  April  9th, 
1816,  when  he  removed  to  Cumberland,  Maryland. 
Having  resided  in  Cumberland  for  nine  years,  he 
returned  to  this  charge  in  the  year  1825,  from  which 
time  to  his  decease,  he  continued  in  the  exercise  of 
the  pastoral  office  among  them.  Mr.  Kennedy  died 
in  the  fall  of  1843. 

This  church  has  been  subject  to  many  changes. 
At  an  early  period  in  its  history,  it  was  large  and 
numerous,  composed  of  the  most  respectable  and  in- 
fluential families  in  the  neighbourhood.  In  the  year 
1814,  the  number  of  families  had  diminished  to 
seventeen.  And  at  present,  there  are  about  seven. 
There  are  but  two  families  connected  with  it  now, 
who  stood  in  this  relation  to  it  seventy  years  ago. 
At  that  early  period,  the  entire  population  of  the 
surrounding  country  were  Scotch-Irish,  and  all  of 
them  belonging  to  the  Presbyterian  congregation. 
Now,  the  great  mass  of  them  are  Germans,  and  belong 
to  the  Dunkers  and  River  Brethren. 

The  materials  for  the  foregoing  sketch  of  the 
history  of  this  Church,  in  relation  to  its  early  state, 
were  furnished  to  the  writer  of  it  (Rev.  Mr.  Creigh), 
by  Mr.  David  Dunwoody,  now  in  his  eighty-second 
year,  who  was  born  and  reared  within  its  bounds,  and 
who  for  forty  years  has  been  a  Ruling  Elder  in  the 
Church  at  Mercersburg. 

12* 


138 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE    CHURCH   AT    CHAMBERSBURG. 

As  we  have  had  occasion  to  state  elsewhere,  though 
the  Land-office  of  Pennsylvania  was  not  open  for  the 
sale  of  lands  west  of  the  Susquehanna,  until  they 
were  purchased  of  the  Indians,  in  October,  1736,  yet 
the  proprietary  offices  and  agents  were  disposed  to  fa- 
vour settlements  west  of  that  river,  with  the  consent 
of  the  Indians,  who  were  conciliated  by  the  settlers. 
''  These  settlements  were  encouraged  and  recognised, 
though  without  official  grants,  in  order  to  resist  the 
encroachment  of  the  Marylanders  on  what  was  con- 
sidered part  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania.  This 
policy,  and  the  fine  country  forming  that  part  of  the 
Kittatinny  Valley,  extending  from  the  Susquehanna, 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Conodoguinett,  along  the  waters 
of  the  beautiful  Conococheague  to  the  Potomac,  in- 
duced men  of  enterprise  to  seek  and  locate  desirable 
situations  for  water-works  and  farms,  in  the  valleys  of 
those  two  streams,  and  of  Yellow  Breeches  Creek." 

Among  the  first  to  explore,  and  settle  in  this 
valley,  were  four  adventurous  brothers,  James,  Ro- 
bert, Joseph,  and  Benjamin  Chambers,  who  emigra- 
ted from  the  County  of  Antrim,  in  Ireland,  to  the 
Province  of  Pennsylvania,  between  the  years  1726 
and  1730.      The  last  of  these  gentlemen,  when  about 


THE     CHURCH     AT     C  H  A  M  B  E  R  S  B  U  R  G.       139 

twenty-one  years  of  age,  settled  where  Chambersburg 
now  stands,  in  1780,  and  "  The  Falling  Spring"  was 
the  name  given  by  him  to  the  place  of  his  settlement, 
at  the  confluence  of  the  large  spring  with  the  Cono- 
cocheague  Creek,  over  the  bank  of  the  latter. 

The  families  that  subsequently  located  themselves 
on.  and  near  the  waters  of  this  spring  (which  gave 
the  name  to  the  entire  settlement,  until  1T64),  were, 
with  scarcely  an  exception,  Presbyterians,  and  soon 
organized  a  congregation.  Until  the  town  of  Cham- 
bersburg was  laid  out,  in  the  year  just  mentioned, 
this  congregation  was  known  as  the  Congregation  of 
Falling  Spring,  but  after  that  it  was  called  the  Pres- 
byterian Congregation  of  Chambersburg,  and  also  that 
of  Falling  Spring. 

Col.  Benjamin  Chambers,  who  was  himself  a 
Presbyterian,  made  an  early  appropriation  of  some 
suitable  ground  for  a  graveyard,  school-house,  and 
place  of  public  worship.  This  was  the  romantic 
cedar  grove  on  the  bank  of  the  creek,  on  which  the 
present  church  stands.  In  this  grove,  and  near  the 
spot  which  the  present  edifice  occupies,  there  was 
erected  a  small  log  building,  w^iich  was  used  for  the 
double  purpose  of  a  school-house  and  place  of  wor- 
ship. This  building,  as  would  appear  from  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  the  Records  of  Presbytery,  at 
their  sederunt  in  1739,  was  erected  in  that  year. 

"  A  Supplication  from  the  people  of  Canigogig  was 
presented  by  James  Lindsay,  commissioner,  wherein 
they  requested  that  Mr.  Caven's  ordination  be  has- 
tened.   The  Presbytery  inquired  of  said  commissioner 


140  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

what  provision  they  had  made  for  Mr.  Caven's  sus- 
tenance among  them ;  it  was  answered,  that  their  sub- 
scriptions amounted  to  forty-six  pounds,  which  they 
will  make  good,  and  what  can  be  had  over  and  above 
shall  be  allowed  him ;  and  further,  they  will  do  what 
they  can  to  procure  a  plantation  to  live  upon.  The 
commissioner  also  learns  in  writing  from  that  people, 
signifying  that  they  have  agreed  about  the  bounds 
between  them  and  the  west  side  of  Canigogig,  west 
from  Alexander  Dunlop's  to  the  fork  of  the  creek,  and 
thence  the  creek  to  be  the  line  until  it  come  to  the  line 
of  the  Province ;  and  that  they  have  agreed  that  their 
other Meeting-House  shall  be  at  the  Falling  Spring." 

This  old  building,  as  already  intimated,  was  small 
and  exceedingly  plain  in  its  structure.  It  was  formed 
of  logs,  entered  by  a  door  on  the  eastern  side  and 
another  on  the  southern,  and  lighted  by  long,  nar- 
row windows,  which  were  of  the  width  of  two  small 
panes  of  glass,  and  reached  from  one  end  to  the 
other  of  the  building.  When  this  building,  as  was 
frequently  the  case,  was  not  of  sufficient  capacity  to 
accommodate  all  who  wished  to  worship  in  it,  the 
congregation  abandoned  it  for  the  time  in  favour  of 
the  saw-mill  of  Col.  Chambers,  which  stood  on  the 
bank  of  the  creek,  on  what  is  now  known  as  "  The 
Island,"  and  which  was  surrounded  by  a  lovely 
green  plot.  On  that  grassy  space,  when  it  was  at  all 
proper,  the  gathered  crowd  seated  themselves,  and 
received  with  interest  and  eagerness  the  messages  of 
God  from  his  commissioned  ambassador. 

In  the  year  1767  this  rude  log  building  was  demo- 


TUE     OIIURCII     AT     CHAMBERSBURG.       141 

lishecl.  Its  dimensions  were  entirely  too  contracted 
for  the  increasing  community,  and  besides,  something 
a  little  more  tasteful  was  demanded  by  the  advancing 
spirit  of  the  times.  Another  edifice,  therefore,  was 
erected,  in  which  the  sacred  services  of  the  Sabbath 
might  be  performed.  This  was  considerably  larger 
than  its  predecessor,  being  about  thirty-five  by  se- 
venty feet,  and  was  of  better  finished  material.  It 
stood  where  the  present  church  does,  though  its  posi- 
tion was  somewhat  different,  as  it  presented  a  side- 
view  to  the  street.  One  year  after  the  erection  of 
this  church.  Col.  Chambers  by  deed  conveyed  to 
trustees  the  grounds  that  had  before  been  dedicated 
to  the  use  of  the  congregation  and  burial-ground. 
The  form  of  this  appropriation  was  as  follows : 

"Deed  for  ground  of  Falling  Spring  Church,  dated 
January  1st,  1768,  from  Benjamin  Chambers  and 
Jane,  his  wife,  to  Patrick  Vance,  Matthew  "Wilson, 
Edward  Cook,  Robert  Patterson,  William  Linsly,  Jr., 
William  Gass,  and  William  Brotherton,  in  trust  for 
the  Presbyterian  Congregation  of  Falling  Spring, 
now  professing  and  adhering  to,  and  that  shall  here- 
after adhere  to  and  profess  the  Westminster  Confes- 
sion of  Faith  and  the  mode  of  Church  Government 
therein  contained,  witnesseth,  that  the  said  Benjamin 
Chambers  and  Jane,  his  wife,  as  w^ell  for  their  regard 
to  the  true  religion  of  the  blessed  Redeemer,  Jesus, 
the  Son  of  God,  and  for  and  in  consideration  of  their 
regard  to  the  interest  and  advantage  of  said  congre- 
gation, and  in  consideration  of  the  rents,  convey  to 
the  Trustees,  &c.,  yielding  and  paying  therefor  and 


142  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

thereout  unto  the  said  B.  C,  his  heirs  or  assigns,  at 
the  said  town  of  Chambersburg,  on  the  first  day  of 
June  next  first  after  this  date,  the  yearly  rent  or  con- 
sideration of  one  Rose,  if  required." 

In  1787,  the  congregation  of  Falling  Spring  was 
incorporated  by  Act  of  Assembly,  and  has  ever  since 
been  governed  in  its  property  afi'airs  by  Trustees 
elected  under  this  Charter.  At  that  time  "it  would 
seem  that  the  congregation  was  larger  than  in  1832, 
though  at  the  latter  period  the  population  of  Cham- 
bersburg was  tenfold  that  of  1786.  After  the  revo- 
lutionary war  and  peace,  a  German  population  sup- 
planted the  first  settlers,  and  possessed  themselves  of 
most  of  their  choice  plantations  by  purchase,  and  the 
families  and  descendants  of  these  settlers  moved  west 
of  the  mountains." 

The  present  church  edifice  at  Chambersburg,  which 
was  erected  in  1803,  is  a  handsome  and  comfortable 
building.  It  is  of  stone,  and  indicates  by  its  external 
structure  that  it  was  the  product  of  a  past  age,  yet  is 
it  not  on  this  account  less,  but  rather  more  attractive 
in  its  appearance.  We  like  many  of  the  improve- 
ments which  have  of  late  been  made,  and  the  liberality 
which  has  generally  been  displayed  in  church  archi- 
tecture throughout  our  land.  We  undervalue  not  a 
due  regard  to  external  beauty  and  becoming  decora- 
tion in  the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship.  We  sym- 
pathize not  with  those  whose  penuriousness,  though 
they  give  it  a  holier  name,  makes  them  content  to 
dwell  themselves  in  houses  of  cedar,  whilst  the  ark  of 


THE     CHURCH     AT     CHAMBERSBURG.       143 

God  dwcUcth  witliin  curtains.  Rejecting,  indeed, 
on  the  one  hand,  a  religion  of  attitude  and  show,  a 
religion  of  picturesque  and  imposing  observances, 
"wherein  the  fine  arts,  and  the  power  of  genius,  the 
chisel  of  the  sculptor,  the  ode  of  the  poet,  the  combi- 
nations of  instrumental  music,  the  trillings  of  various 
voices,  the  stated  procession,  the  scattered  flowers, 
the  blaze  of  many  lights,  or  the  costly  frankincense 
of  Arabia,  are  directed  to  excite  the  fancy  and  the 
passions  to  a  pitch  which  lulls  the  conscience  and 
draws  away  attention  from  the  conduct," — on  the 
other  hand,  we  as  much  admire  the  taste,  the  libe- 
rality, the  sincerity,  and  the  spirit  of  devotion,  which 
find  somewhat  of  their  expression  in  exercises  at  once 
simple  and  sublime,  and  in  a  building  for  the  worship 
of  God,  which  is  convenient  in  its  arrangements, 
chaste  in  its  design,  neat  in  its  furniture,  and  attrac- 
tive by  its  comeliness,  rather  than  repulsive  to  the  eye. 
To  be  satisfied  that  all  this  is  true  of  the  Church  at 
Chambersburg,  and  that  besides,  its  exterior  has  an 
impress  of  antiquity  which  throws  around  it  a  peculiar 
interest,  it  is  but  necessary  to  see  it.  It  is  at  once 
simple,  neat,  and  beautiful.  Its  elevated  site,  also,  is 
a  most  desirable  one,  calling  as  it  does,  for  those  who 
worship  within  the  sanctuary,  to  leave  the  associations 
and  pursuits  of  a  bustling  yet  fading  world,  and  come 
up  to  the  service  of  the  Lord.  The  shadows  which 
fall  around  it,  likewise,  from  trees  which  were  stand- 
ing when  the  footstep  of  the  white  man  first  broke 
the  silence  of  the  wilderness,  are  not  without  their 


144      CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

deep  significance  ;  neither  is  the  ivy  which  covers  its 
walls,  as  if  to  bear  constant  testimony  to  the  truth, 
that  with  a  steadiness  and  tenacity,  which  neither 
sunshine  or  storm  or  revolving  seasons  can  impair, 
man's  affections  should  rise  above  the  earth,  cleave  to 
the  risen  Saviour,  and  cluster  around  the  Church 
which  He  hath  purchased  with  his  precious  blood. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  congregation  at 
Falling  Spring  was  for  a  time  supplied  by  ministers 
sent  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Donegal  and  Newcastle. 
But  this  arrangement  was  of  short  continuance,  as 
the  following  extract  from  the  minutes  of  a  meeting 
of  a  committee  of  Presbytery,  held  at  "Canigogig, 
16th  November,  1739,  plainly  shows. 

"Mr.  Boyd  having  published  an  edict  at  the  door, 
in  the  hearing  of  both  societies,  Thomas  Brown  ap- 
peared, declared  that  if  said  societies  are  willing  to 
have  Mr.  Caven  ordained  among  them,  he  will  make 
no  objection  against  it;  at  the  same  time  said  Thomas 
Brown  desired  that  the  ground  of  the  censure  laid  on 
him  by  the  Presbytery  be  inquired  into :  the  committee, 
after  some  discourse  on  said  request,  agree  to  defer 
the  consideration  of  that  affair  until  the  work  of  or- 
dination be  over.  Richard  O'Cahan,  Joseph  Arm- 
strong, Benjamin  Chambers,  and  Patrick  Jack,  have 
publicly  engaged  to  pay  to  Mr.  Samuel  Thompson 
the  sum  of  one  pound  five  shillings,  at  or  before  next 
meeting  of  Presbytery,  as  being  the  whole  of  arrears 
due  him  by  the  people  at  Canigogig." 

From  this  record  it  is  evident  that,  in  all  probabi- 


THE     CHURCH     AT     C  II  A  xM  B  E  R  S  B  U  R  G.       145 

lity,  Mr.  Thompson  preceded  Mr.  Caven  as  pastor  of 
"the  people  of  Conococheaguc,"  the  name  by  which 
the  congregations  of  Greencastle  and  Falling  Spring 
were  then  known.  Mr.  Caven  resigned  his  pastoral 
relation  in  1741. 

About  the  year  1767,  the  Rev.  James  Lang  (or 
Long,  as  he  was  generally  called)  became  the  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Falling  Spring  for  one-half  his  time, 
the  other  half  being  given  to  Greencastle,  where  he 
resided. 

In  1792,  in  compliance  with  a  "  supplication"  from 
the  united  congregations  of  Falling  Spring  and  East 
Conococheaguc,  the  Rev.  William  Speer  was  "ap- 
pointed for  six  months  statedly  to  supply  them,  in 
rotation  with  their  present  pastor,  Mr.  Lang ;  to 
which  arrangement  Mr.  Lang  declared  his  hearty 
consent." 

In  1794,  the  union  between  the  congregations  of 
Falling  Spring  and  East  Conococheaguc  was  dis- 
solved, and  the  latter  became  the  sole  charge  of  Mr. 
Lang.  At  the  same  time  Mr.  Speer  accepted  the 
pastorate  of  Falling  Spring.  Mr.  Speer  was  licensed 
by  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  June  22d,  1791,  or- 
dained and  installed  pastor  of  Falling  Spring,  Oct. 
8th,  1794,  and  his  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  in 
April,  1797. 

After  being  supplied  for  a  time  by  appointments 
of  Presbytery,  the  congregation  at  Chambersburg,  in 
the  year  1800,  secured  the  services  of  the  Rev.  David 
Denny,  who  was  set  over  them  in  the  Lord,  and  con- 

13 


146  CHUECHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

tinuecl  to  labour  among  them  until  1838,  Avlien,  on 
account  of  the  infirmity  of  years,  his  resignation  was 
tendered  and  accepted. 

We  transfer  the  following  truthful  sketch  of  the 
history  and  character  of  this  excellent  man,  from  the 
Presbytery's  book  of  obituaries  of  deceased  ministers. 

^'  Died  at  his  residence  in  Chambersburg,  on  Tues- 
day, the  16th  of  December,  1845,  the  Rev.  David 
Denny,  in  the  78th  year  of  his  age,  formerly  pastor 
of  the  Falling  Spring  Church,  in  that  place.  To  those 
whose  sympathy  or  admiration  is  limited  to  terrestrial 
displays,  the  memorials  of  valour  or  political  eminence 
address  a  grateful  spectacle,  but  the  mind  that  has 
learned  to  reverence  religion,  and  contrast  the  tri- 
umphs of  the  Cross  with  the  loftiest  of  mere  human 
attainments,  will  turn  with  more  delight  to  the  sublime 
but  less  ostentatious  records  of  Christian  virtue. 
The  modesty  that  distinguished  the  venerable  servant 
of  God  who  forms  the  subject  of  this  notice,  would 
have  been  sensibly  shocked,  had  he  known  that  a 
sketch  of  his  retired  life  would  be  submitted  to  the 
public  eye  after  his  decease ;  and  the  feeble  tribute 
that  is  now  offered  to  his  memory  is  not  without  the 
restraint  imposed  by  that  humble  sentiment  of  self- 
approbation  which  he  was  always  known  to  cherish. 

"  The  Rev.  David  Denny  was  the  third  son  of  a 
revolutionary  soldier  who  fell  in  battle,  when  his 
eldest  son,  contending  at  his  side,  was  captured  by 
the  enemy.  He  graduated  at  Dickinson  College, 
while  Dr.  Charles  Nesbit  was  Principal  of  that  Insti- 


THE     CHURCH     AT    C  H  A  iM  B  E  R  S  B  U  R  G.       147 

tution,  and  under  that  learned  and  classic  divine 
began  and  completed  his  theological  studies.  He 
was  a  fond  admirer  of  his  distinguished  preceptor, 
and  the  writer  has  often  heard  him  narrate  anecdotes 
illustrative  of  his  wit,  learning,  and  accomplishments. 
The  sources  of  Philosophy  and  Divinity  at  that  day 
were  neither  as  copious  nor  accessible  as  at  present, 
and  the  acquisitions  of  the  student  were  consequently 
earned  by  severer  toil  and  application,  than  the  fa- 
cilities of  learning  now  exact.  The  lectures  of  Dr. 
Nesbit  were  delivered  at  a  modulated  rate  and  tone, 
that  the  members  of  his  class  might  be  able  to  reduce 
them  to  writing  as  they  fell  from  his  lips.  The  de- 
ceased has  left  in  his  library  seven  quarto  volumes 
of  these  discourses,  in  his  own  handsome  and  legible 
handwriting,  which  form  together  a  respectable  body 
of  metaphysics  and  divinity.  Whatever  the  present 
intrinsic  value  of  these  lectures  may  be,  when  the 
bounds  of  sacred  and  profane  learning  have  been  so 
much  enlarged,  the  diligent  reader  will  find  in  many 
pages  of  them,  strong  marks  of  the  erudition,  origi- 
nal thought,  and  classic  taste  of  the  author. 

"  Mr.  Denny  was  licensed  to  preach  about'the  year 
1792,  by  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  within  whose 
bounds  he  remained  until  the  close  of  his  pastoral 
office.  He  was  first  installed  over  two  congregations 
in  Path  Valley,  that  had  lately  become  vacant  by  the 
death  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dougal,  where  he  continued 
until  the  year  1800,  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  esteem 
and  affections  of  a  much-beloved  people.    In  the  year 


148  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

last  mentioned,  he  was  transferred  to  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  Falling  Spring  Church,  in  Chambers- 
burg,  which  he  retained  until  the  termination  of  his 
public  ministrations, — a  period  of  38  years.  That 
church,  then  in  comparative  infancy,  was  delivered 
over  at  his  retirement  to  his  estimable  successor  in  the 
pastoral  office,  in  the  vigour  and  maturity  of  improving 
manhood.  His  means  derived  from  the  ministry  being 
inadequate  to  the  demands  of  a  large  and  growing 
family,  he  was  obliged  to  combine  with  it,  for  a  series 
of  years,  the  labours  of  a  teacher  of  the  learned  lan- 
guages in  an  academy,  and  being  a  master  of  eco- 
nomy he  secured  that  enviable  maintenance  midway 
between  poverty  and  w^ealth,  so  desirable  to  the  good 
man,  and  that  proves  at  once  a  defence  against  the 
inconveniences  of  penury,  and  the  vices  of  pro- 
fusion. 

"  In  the  year  of  Mr.  Denny's  retirement  from  the 
active  duties  of  the  sanctuary,  death  snatched  from 
his  side  the  fond  partner  of  his  pilgrimage,  a  lady  of 
exalted  worth,  and  by  the  same  stroke  broke  his 
cheerful  spirit  and  firm  constitution.  Companions 
also  who  shared  his  better  years  and  pastoral  inti- 
macy, had  then  dropped  away  one  by  one  around  him, 
until  he  was  left  almost  alone,  like  the  gray  oak  of 
the  forest,  surrounded  by  generations  of  a  younger 
growth.  He  continued  to  languish  under  increasing 
infirmity,  until  repeated  attacks  of  paralysis  accele- 
rated his  decline  and  deprived  him  of  the  power  of 
articulate  speech.      It  was  not  until  several  months 


THE     CHUKCII     AT     C  II  A  M  B  E  R  S  B  U  R  G.       149 

after  this  trying  visitation,  that  the  mysterious  hand 
which  often  chastens  out  of  plenitude  of  love,  called 
him,  by  a  voice  gentle  and  meek  as  the  breathing  of 
infant  slumber,  from  the  sorrows  of  his  earthly  state 
to  the  joyous  assembly  of  the  just.  His  person,  cast 
in  the  finest  mould  for  strength,  activity,  and  propor- 
tion, was  well  adapted  to  the  air  of  dignity  which 
Nature  herself  had  impressed  upon  it.  His  mind  was 
of  a  strong  and  discerning  order,  always  governed 
by  candour  and  sincerity,  and  warmed  by  the  love  of 
truth.  His  views  were  expressed  in  the  language  of 
simplicity  and  earnestness,  neither  adorned  nor  ob- 
scured by  the  garnish  of  imagery  or  the  flashes  of 
rhetoric. 

"  In  doctrine  Mr.  Denny  was  a  decided  Calvinist, 
and  conscientiously  attached  to  the  standards  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  The  tide  of  new  measures  that 
threatened,  about  the  close  of  his  ministerial  career, 
the  subversion  of  everything  like  rational  religion  in 
the  church,  was  consonant  neither  to  his  judgment 
nor  taste,  but  regarded  rather  as  the  offspring  of 
Pelagian  error  than  the  fruit  of  evangelical  repen- 
tance,— a  decision  which  the  overseers  of  the  honour 
and  purity  of  the  Church  are  fast  vindicating,  by  the 
substitution  of  a  higher  and  more  solemn  test  of  spi- 
ritual improvement.  Modesty  and  humility  were  in- 
terwoven with  the  very  texture  of  his  heart,  and  its 
liveliest  sympathies  were  always  in  expansion  for  the 
sick,  the  suffering,  and  the  desolate. 

'*  Neither  inclemency  of  weather  nor  transient  ill- 
13* 


150  CHURCHES     OF     THE    VALLEY. 

ness  were  suffered  to  detain  him  from  the  exercises  of 
the  pulpit,  and  he  enjoyed  in  no  ordinary  degree  the 
esteem  and  affection  of  the  people  among  whom  he 
laboured.  He  was  actuated  in  social  intercourse  by 
a  manly,  tolerant,  and  liberal  spirit,  and  has  left  to 
all  who  stood  in  private  or  public  relations  to  him,  an 
example  of  many  virtues  with  which  humanity  is  not 
often  adorned,  which  they  may  fail  to  imitate,  but 
can  never  cease  to  admire  and  love." 

As  in  addition  to  his  active  interest  in  other 
Christian  enterprises,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Denny  took  a 
prominent  part  in  the  organization  of  "  The  Franklin 
County  Bible  Society."  We  give  some  account  of 
the  origin  of  this  association.* 

After  Mr.  Denny's  withdrawment  from  his  pulpit, 
the  Rev.  William  Adam  was  chosen  to  fill  it,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1889,  and  did  so  until  April,  1841,  when  im- 
paired health  demanded  a  temporary  cessation  of  his 
ministerial  labours. 

The  Rev.  Daniel  McKinley  was  Mr.  Adam's  suc- 
cessor, and  continued  to  be  pastor  of  the  church  for 
nine  years.  At  the  time  of  his  resignation  Dr. 
McKinley  accepted  a  call  to  a  congregation  in  the 
city  of  Pittsburg. 

After  being  vacant  for  about  twelve  months,  the 
congregation  invited  Mr.  Joseph  Clark,  a  Licentiate 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  to  be  their  stated  supply 
for  a  year,  and  before  the  expiration  of  this  time,  he 
was  unanimously  called  to    be  their    pastor.      Mr. 

*  See  xVppendix  IV. 


.     THE    CHURCH     AT    C  H  A  M  B  E  R  S  B  U  R  G.       151 

Clarke  was  ordained  and  installed  in  June,  1852, — 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  D.  D.  Clarke,  Creigh,  Morris,  and 
Dr.  McKinley,  officiating  on  the  occasion. 

The  Session  of  the  Church,  at  present,  consists  of 
the  following  members : — Samuel  Mcllroy,  David 
Lytle,  Robert  Sharp,  Holmes  Crawford,  John  Cree, 
and  Robert  Black. 

As  Fay etteville  lies  within  the  ancient  limits  of  the 
congregation  of  Chambersburg,  this  may  be  the  proper 
place  to  notice  the  church  there.  This  congregation 
was  organized,  July,  21st,  1833.  For  a  number  of 
years  it  was  favoured  with  preaching  by  the  pastors 
of  the  Chambersburg  church,  and  for  a  brief  season, 
was  served  by  Mr.  Thos.  K.  Davis,  a  licentiate,  but  for 
some  time  it  has  been  under  the  care  of  the  Rev. 
James  F.  Kennedy,  who  unites  with  his  ministerial 
office  the  charge  of  a  flourishing  classical  academy 
in  Chambersburg.  The  congregation  is  not  large, 
but  is  steadily  increasing.  It  worships  in  a  comfor- 
table brick  building,  which  stands  near  the  centre  of 
the  village,  and  which  is  owned  jointly  by  the  Pres- 
byterian and  the  German  Reformed  congregations  of 
the  place. 

Let  us  now  turn  to  the  churchyard  of  the  congre- 
gation of  The  Falling  Spring. 

"  A  churchyard!  'tis  a  homely  Tford,  yet  full 
Of  feeling :  and  a  sound  which  o'er  the  heart 
Might  shed  religion.     In  the  gloom  of  graves 
I  read  the  curse  primeval,  and  the  voice 
That  wreaked  it  seems  to  whisper  by  these  tombs 
Of  village  quiet,  which  around  me  lie 
In  green  humility.     Can  Life,  the  dead 


152      CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

Among  be  musing,  nor  to  God  advance 

The  spirit  of  her  thought  ?     True  Nature  -wears 

No  rustic  mourning  here  :  in  golden  play 

Her  sprightly  grass — flowers  wave,  the  random  breeze 

Hums  in  the  noon,  or  with  yon  froward  bough 

A  murm'ring  quarrel  wakes  :  and  yet,  how  oft 

In  such  a  haunt,  the  insuppressive  sigh 

Is  heard,  while  feelings  which  may  pilot  years 

To  glory,  spring  from  out  a  minute's  gloom." 

The  expression  of  admiration  is  universal  on  the 
part  of  those  who  visit  the  Cemetery  at  Chambers- 
burg.  And  it  is,  unquestionably,  one  of  the  loveliest 
homes  of  the  dead  that  is  anywhere  to  be  seen. 
Though  within  the  precincts  of  the  town,  it  is  yet 
in  a  great  measure  hidden  from  the  view,  and  pervaded 
by  much  of  the  solemn  stillness  of  the  country.  A 
wanderer  among  its  tombs  might  easily  imagine  him- 
self in  some  lonely  retreat,  secluded  from  the  world, 
and  where  none  would  be  likely  to  disturb  his  medi- 
tations or  see  the  falling  tear.  This  beautiful  place, 
which  lies  in  the  rear  of  the  church,  is  skirted  on  the 
north  by  the  Conococheague,  whose  waters  flow  noise- 
lessly along  beneath  a  steep  and  high  descent.  In 
the  direction  of  its  southern  extremity,  and  but  a  short 
distance  from  it,  are  to  be  heard  the  murmurs  of  the 
Falling  Spring,  as  it  rolls  onward,  soon  to  lose  itself  in 
the  deeper  stream  to  which  it  pays  its  tribute.  The 
time  was  when  this  spring  flowed  through  the  grave- 
yard, in  the  deep  ravine  which  yet  divides  it  in  a  di- 
rection nearly  north  and  south,  but  it  was  at  an  early 
day  diverted  from  this  channel  to  its  present  course, 


.     THE     CHURCH     AT     C  11  A  M  B  E  RS  B  U  R  G.       153 

that  its  power  might  be  employed  for  a  useful  and 
profitable  purpose.  That  ravine  is  now  occupied  with 
a  number  of  majestic  trees,  which  have  since  grown 
up  in  its  bosom,  and  its  sides  are  thickly  studded  with 
smaller  ones,  and  bushes  of  various  kinds.  This,  in- 
deed, is  true  of  the  entire  yard  :  it  is  nearly  altogether 
protected  in  this  way  from  the  rays  of  the  sun.  The 
visitor  at  once,  and  with  interest,  observes  the  rich 
shrubbery  which  adorns  the  undulating  ground  on 
which  he  treads,  the  numerous  cedars  scattered 
through  the  enclosure,  as  if  to  represent  the  unfading 
recollections  of  the  departed  which  are  cherished  in 
many  a  heart,  and  the  refreshing  shade  which  is  spread 
around  him  by  stately  trees  which  once  sheltered  the 
redman  in  his  slumbers  after  the  toils  of  the  day,  and 
which  yet  maintain  their  vigour  and  freshness  amid  the 
very  ravages  of  death.  Sacred  spot !  How  many 
warm  tears  have  gushed  upon  thee !  How  many 
crushed  hearts  have  poured  forth  their  wailings  upon 
thy  passing  breeze  !  How  many  affections  hast  thou 
seen  to  bleed,  and  how  many  hopes  to  perish  !  How 
many  loved  treasures  hast  thou  unveiled  thy  bosom 
to  receive,  which  now  rest  beneath  the  grassy  mounds 
which  mark  thy  surface  !  How  many  sad  memories 
continually  linger  about  thee  !  How  many,  too,  are 
there,  among  thy  silent  and  shattered  occupants,  who, 
because  they  died  in  faith  in  Him  who  is  the  Resur- 
rection and  the  Life,  shall  catch  with  triumph  the  last 
trumpet's  stirring  sound, 

"Then  burst  the  chains  in  sweet  surprise, 
And  in  the  Saviour's  image  rise  !" 


154 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE    CHUllCH     AT     SniPPENSBURG. 

Shippensburg  is  the  oldest  town,  except  York,  west 
of  the  Susquehanna  River.  It  was  originally  wholly 
settled  by  Irish.  In  it  the  courts  were  held  when 
Cumberland  was  organized,  1750.  During  the  French 
and  Indian  wars,  two  forts.  Fort  Morris  and  Fort 
Franklin,  were  erected  there,  the  remains  of  one  of 
which,  were,  until  lately,  still  to  be  seen.  Some  idea 
of  the  size  and  condition  of  the  place,  a  little  more 
than  a  century  ago,  may  be  derived  from  the  subjoined 
extracts  from  a  letter,  dated  June  14th,  1755,  to  Go- 
vernor Morris,  from  Charles  Swaine,  who,  it  appears, 
was  on  a  visit  to  the  place  on  public  business. 

"  I  judge  there  are  sufficient  buildings  for  storing 
the  provisions,  without  erecting  any." 

"  I  find  not  above  two  pastures  here,  those  but 
mean  as  to  grass,  from  drought,  but  there  is  a  fine 
range  of  forage  for  upwards  of  four  miles,  in  the  woods, 
quite  to  the  foot  of  the  South  Mountain.  "  There  are 
no  bricks  here,  and  little  lime  at  present,  so  the 
making  ovens  w^ould  be  difficult,  and  if  made  of  clay, 
then  there  would  be  some  iron-work  wanting." 


THE     CHURCH     AT     SHIPPENSBURG.        155 

One  of  the  earliest  churches  organized  in  Ship- 
pensbiirg  was  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian. 
Until  this  organization  was  effected,  the  Episcopal 
element  was,  perhaps,  dominant  in  the  borough, 
through  the  influence  of  INIr.  Shippen,  the  proprietor, 
who  was  connected  with  that  denomination.  This 
church  was  under  the  care  of  the  Second  Presbytery 
of  Philadelphia,  in  connexion  with  the  Associate 
Reformed  Synod.  For  a  number  of  years  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Walker  was  its  pastor.  After  his  separation 
from  it,  the  pulpit  was  filled,  for  about  eighteen 
months,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Strong,  now  of  New 
York.  In  1823,  the  Rev.  Henry  R.  Wilson  was 
called,  with  the  permission  of  the  Presbytery,  to 
take  charge  of  the  congregation.  Mr.  Wilson  con- 
tinued in  connexion  with  that  body  until  1825,  when 
it  was  dissolved,  and  he  was  received  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  Carlisle.  Mr.  Wilson  continued  to  be  pastor 
of  this  church  until  1839.  The  following  sketch  of 
the  history  and  character  of  this  useful  servant  of 
the  Lord,  is  an  abridgment  of  his  obituary,  as  pub- 
lished in  the  "Presbyterian,"  June  14,  1849. 

"  The  Rev.  Henry  R.  Wilson,  D.D.,  was  born  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Gettysburg,  Adams  County, 
Pa.,  on  the  7th  of  August,  1780.  He  was  graduated 
at  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle,  whilst  the  venerable 
Charles  Nesbit  presided  over  that  Institution,  in  the 
days  of  its  prosperity.  He  was  licensed  to  preach 
the  gospel  by  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle  in  1801. 


156  CUURCIIES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

After  labouring  for  some  months  in  Virginia,  as  a 
supply,  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Bellefonte, 
Centre  County,  Pa.,  where  Presbyterians  had  neither 
organized  church  nor  house  of  worship.  He  com- 
menced preaching  in  the  court-house.  His  labours 
were  greatly  blessed  in  gathering  here  a  church,  as 
also  another  at  Lick  Kun,  twelve  miles  distant. 
Over  these  congregations  he  w^as  installed  pastor  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Huntingdon,  in  1802. 

"  In  1806,  Mr.  Wilson  was  chosen,  at  the  early  age 
of  twenty-six,  to  fill  the  Professorship  of  Languages 
in  Dickinson  College.  A  part  of  the  time,  during 
his  connexion  with  the  College,  he  preached  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Carlisle,  as  colleague  with 
President  Davidson.  In  1814,  a  call  was  presented 
to  him  by  the  congregation  of  Silvers'  Spring,  which 
he  accepted. 

"In  1823,  Dr.  Wilson  received  a  call  from  the 
church  in  Shippensburg.  During  his  ministry  there, 
the  church  enjoyed  some  precious  seasons  of  refresh- 
ing, 'and  many  were  added  unto  the  Lord.'  He 
was  indefatigable  and  abundant  in  labours. 

"In  1838,  Dr.  Wilson  was  chosen  the  first  General 
Agent  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  in  which  station 
he  laboured  arduously  until  1842,  when  he  resigned 
his  ofiice  in  that  Board,  and  accepted  a  call  from 
the  church  at  Neshaminy,  at  Hartsville,  Bucks 
County,  Pa.  Here,  with  his  accustomed  fidelity,  he 
continued  to  discharge  the  duties  of  pastor  until  the 


THE    CHURCH     AT     SHIPPENSBURG.       157 

month  of  October,  1848,  when,  at  his  o^Yn  request, 
the  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved. 

"  For  some  months  previous  his  hcallfi  had  become 
so  infirm,  that  he  was  seldom  able  to  preach,  except 
when  carried  from  his  bed  to  the  church,  and  placed 
in  a  chair,  in  which  posture  he  delivered  his  message, 
amidst  much  bodily  weakness  and  suffering,  but  with 
his  usual  clearness  of  mind,  and  earnestness  of 
manner. 

"  Dr.  Wilson's  health  continued  to  decline,  notwith- 
standing the  cessation  of  his  ministerial  labours. 

"  After  a  sore  conflict  of  forty-six  hours,  he  died 
in  Philadelphia,  on  the  morning  of  Thursday,  the 
22d  of  March,  1849,  and  was  interred  the  day  fol- 
lowing, at  Hartsville,  the  scene  of  his  closing  labours 
in  the  ministry.  An  appropriate  discourse  was  deli- 
vered on  the  occasion  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Steel,  of 
Abington,  and  the  sympathies  and  afi'ections  of  the 
people  of  his  recent  charge  were  abundantly  shown 
toward  one  whom,  though  absent,  they  had  not  ceased 
to  regard  and  love  as  their  pastor. 

"  The  life  of  Dr.  Wilson  was  an  eventful  one. 
More  can  be  said  of  him,  than  that  he  passed  through 
scenes  of  some  interest,  grew  old,  and  then  died. 
From  his  earliest  labours  in  the  Gospel  there  was 
demand  for  a  steadiness  of  purpose,  and  an  energy 
of  execution,  that  not  every  man  is  equal  to. 

"  The  influence  of  such  a  man  in  the  Church,  we 
cannot  duly  estimate.  He  was  a  pioneer  in  the  cause 
of  the  Gospel  in  Central  Pennsylvania,  and  his  labours 
14 


158  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

essentially  contributed  to  lay  firm  and  deep  the  foun- 
dations of  those  churches  that  adorn  and  bless  the 
region  of  hislfearliest  toil.  Ministers  of  Dr.  Wilson's 
character  stamp  an  impression  upon  the  times  in  which 
they  live.  They  give  a  fixedness  to  the  order,  the 
government,  the  instruction,  and  standard  of  piety 
in  the  church,  by  which,  they  being  dead,  yet  speak. 

"  The  ministerial  labours  of  this  venerable  man  were 
abundant.  His  preaching  was  in  character  with  the 
man.  It  came  down  from  a  former  generation,  with  all 
that  seriousness  of  manner  and  weight  of  instruction, 
that  are  the  fairest  ornaments  of  the  Christian  Pulpit. 
His  whole  deportment  and  performance  may  truly  be 
said  to  have  been  characterized  by  simplicity  and 
godly  sincerity.  Eminently  instructive,  his  preaching 
always  made  the  impression,  ^  these  things  are  so,' 
and  religion  is  a  serious  and  important  matter. 

"  I  never  knew  a  man  less  influenced  in  his  minis- 
terial work  by  the  changing  circumstances  around 
him.  Whether  the  congregation  was  large  or  small, 
whether  prosperity  attended  his  steps,  or  disappoint- 
ment was  his  portion,  not  in  these  was  he  to  find 
the  measure  or  the  motive  of  his  labours.  He  felt 
himself  to  be  of  that  number  to  whom  it  has  been 
commanded,  '  Go  and  preach,'  and  whose  the  pro- 
mise is,  '  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway.'  Not  the 
increase,  the  work  was  his.  Not  the  measure  of 
his  success,  but  the  command  of  Christ,  and  the 
assurance  that  God  would  bless  and  prosper  his  own 


THE    CHURCH    AT    SHIPPENSBUllG.       159 

truth  ; — this  was  the  rule  and  the  measure  of  his 
toil. 

"  Thus  he  lived,  a  lahoi'ious  and  eminently  useful 
preacher  of  the  Gospel,  tlic  crown  of  his  family,  and 
an  ornament  to  the  ministry  of  reconciliation. 

"  Thus  he  died,  amidst  great  bodily  suffering,  with 
the  language  of  praise  upon  his  lips.  Not  weary  with 
his  ministerial  labours,  and  his  conflicts  as  a  sinner 
saved,  but  in  obedience  to  the  Master's  call,  '  It  is 
enough,  come  up  higher,'  he  bade  the  world  adieu, 
■with  a  full  hope  of  immortality,  most  beloved  by  those 
who  knew  him  best,  and  lamented  by  all  pious  men  of 
every  name." 

The  Rev.  James  Harper  was  the  successor  of  Dr. 
Wilson  at  Shippensburg.  The  call  was  given  to  him 
and  accepted,  in  1840,  and  in  that  Pastorate  he  has 
ever  since  continued,  with  a  sustaining  evidence  of  the 
Divine  blessing  upon  his  labours,  and  a  large  and 
influential  congregation  committed  to  his  care. 

The  first  elders  of  the  congregation  of  whom  there  is 
any  record,  were,  John  Means,  who  died  September  1, 
1823,  and  William  Bard,  who  was  ordained  in  May, 
1805,  declined  in  1823,  was  re-elected  and  installed 
in  1825,  and  declined  in  1826.  The  Session  is  at 
present  composed  of  George  M'Ginnis,  installed 
April  11,  1824  ;  John  Reside,  ordained  and  installed 
at  the  same  time ;  Daniel  Henderson,  installed  January 
2,  1825  ;  Alexander  P.  Kelso,  ordained  and  installed 
Oct.  4, 1845 ;  Dr.  Wm.  Rankin  and  Robert  Mateer,  or- 
dained and  installed,  Feb.  6,  1848 ;  and  Benjamin 


160  CHURCHES     OF    THE    VALLEY. 

Snodgrass,  John  Mateer,  and  John  Bridges,  ordained 
and  installed,  Sept.  7,  1851. 

A  few  years  after  Mr.  Harper's  settlement  among 
that  people,  the  church  property  was  brought  into 
litigation.  It  was  claimed  by  the  few  Associate 
Reformed  members  still  remaining  in  the  town  and 
neighbourhood,  and  suit  was  brought  by  them  to 
establish  their  exclusive  right  to  the  building.  Their 
effort  was  successful.  The  Presbyterian  congre- 
gation then  purchased  a  lot  in  a  different  part  of 
the  town,  and  erected  the  edifice  in  which  they  now 
worship.  This  is  a  neat  brick  building,  constructed 
and  furnished  according  to  the  modern  style,  with  a 
gallery  for  a  choir,  and  of  sufficient  capacity  to  ac- 
commodate about  four  hundred  and  fifty  persons. 
Immediately  in  the  rear  of  it  is  a  lot,  which  has  been 
set  apart  for  a  graveyard,  and  which  already  has  re- 
ceived not  a  few  who  have,  since  the  transfer  of  the 
place  of  worship,  yielded  to  the  doom  that  is  ap- 
pointed unto  all  men. 

Though  feeling  a  deep  interest  in  all  the  Presby- 
terian congregations  of  Cumberland  Valley,  it  would 
be  strange  if  we  did  not  cherish,  and  perhaps  as 
strange  if  we  did  not  here  acknowledge,  a  special  re- 
gard for  the  Congregation  of  Shippensburg.  Within 
its  boundaries  we  were  first  numbered  among  the 
living ;  to  its  sanctuary  our  infant  feet  were  led  by 
the  hand  of  love  ;  by  the  venerable  servant  of  the 
Lord  who  presided  over  its  interests  during  our  child- 
hood were  we  taught  the  holy  truths  of  Christianity ; 


THE    CHURCH    AT     SHIPPENSBURG.       161 

at  its  altar  we  first  entered  publicly  into  covenant 
■with  God ;  and  in  its  cemetery  there  are  those  en- 
tombed, for  -whom  an  ardent  affection  must  be  felt 
■whilst  memory  shall  endure.  It,  therefore,  naturally 
occupies  a  ■warm  place  in  our  heart.  True,  the 
years  -which  have  rolled  a^way  since  ^we  have  been 
absent  from  it,  in  preparing  for,  and  in  the  perfor- 
mance of,  professional  duty,  have  -wrought  in  it,  as  in 
other  churches,  many  changes,  yet  still  is  it  ever 
remembered  -with  an  interest  ■which  advancing  time 
increases  rather  than  abates.  Long  may  it  exist 
in  peace  and  prosperity,  and  long  may  the  very  large 
contribution  which  it  has  hitherto  made  of  its  pious 
young  men  to  the  holy  ministry,  continue. 


14* 


162 


CHAPTER  IX. 

GREENCASTLE     CHURCH. 

In  tlie  year  1738,  the  Congregation,  wliich,  pre- 
viously to  that  time,  seems  to  have  been  known  as  the 
Congregation  of  the  "  Conococheague  Settlement,''  y^SiS, 
divided.  The  following  extract  from  the  Records  of 
Presbytery,  will  show  their  action  in  the  case. 

^'  The  affair  of  Conegocheck  reassumed,  and  several 
papers  being  read,  and  a  pretty  dale  said  by  several 
persons  on  that  affair,  at  last  the  Presbytery  un- 
derstanding that  the  people  of  the  east  and  west 
sides  of  the  creek,  had  agreed  among  themselves  to 
divide  into  two  societies,  the  one  on  the  east  and  the 
other  on  the  west  side,  and  those  on  the  east  side 
having  presented  a  call  for  Mr.  Caven  to  be  their 
minister,  the  Presbytery,  taking  these  things  into 
consideration,  do,  in  the  first  place,  considering 
circumstances,  approve  of  the  division,  though  we 
think  they  have  acted  somewhat  precipitantly  in 
separating  without  consent  of  the  Presbytery,  and 
have  likewise  presented  the  call  of  the  east  side  to 
Mr.  Caven,  which  he  has  taken  under  his  considera- 
tion. N.  B.  That  Alexander  Dunlop  is  the  highest 
that  belongs  to  the  society  on  the  west  side." 


GREENCASTLE    CHURCH.  163 

At  the  time  the  separation  here  referred  to  took 
place,  the  eastern  part  of  the  congregation  thus  set 
off,  embraced  the  people  of  the  region  -which  is  now 
known  as  the  town  of  Grecncastle  and  its  vicinity, 
but  whicli  was  then  called  "East  Conococheague." 
At  that  time,  also,  the  congregations  of  "  East  Cono- 
cocheague" and  "Falling  Spring,"  were  united  as 
one  charge,  and  were  under  the  pastoral  supervision 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Caven. 

The  connexion  of  Mr.  Caven  with  this  people  as 
their  shepherd  was  but  of  brief  duration.  A  com- 
plaint was  preferred  against  him  before  Presbytery, 
in  1741,  by  a  part  of  the  congregation  of  "  Falling 
Spring,"  and  although  Presbytery  "  could  not  find 
any  gross  immorality  proved  against  him,  yet  they 
thought  he  ought  to  be  admonished  for  some  expres- 
sions which  appeared  to  them  imprudent  and  unguard- 
ed, such  as  speaking  of  his  sacred  office  under  the 
notion  of  a  trade,  and  his  running  to  drive  the  devil ; 
and  accordingly  they  admonished  him,  and  yielded  to 
his  request  to  be  dismissed  from  his  congregation." 

The  probability  is,  that  Mr.  Caven  continued  to  be 
pastor  of  "East  Conococheague"  until  1747.  His 
place  was  supplied  in  1754  and  '55,  by  the  Rev.  John 
Steel,  who  had  charge  of  the  congregation  for  this 
length  of  time  in  connexion  with  the  congregation 
of  "West  Conococheague,"  but  was  then  obliged  by 
the  Indian  disturbances  to  abandon  his  post. 

In  the  year  1769,  the  union  between  the  congrega- 
tions of  East  Conococheague  and  Falling  Spring  which 


164  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

had  previously  been  dissolved,  was  re-formed,  and  the 
Rev.  James  Lang  was  called  as  Pastor  of  the  charge. 
It  seems  scarcely  credible  that  the  former  of  these 
congregations  should  remain  vacant  for  more  than 
twenty  years,  with  the  exception  of  the  two  years' 
service  rendered  them  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Steel,  yet 
such  is  the  fact,  for  anything  that  appears  to  the  con- 
trary in  the  Presbyterial  records ;  and  the  sessional 
records  of  the  church,  which  might  be  expected  to 
throw  some  light  upon  this  point,  if  indeed  they  ever 
had  an  existence,  have  perished. 

We  here  take  occasion  to  express  our  regret,  that 
there  is  generally  so  much  indifference  on  the  part  of 
our  church  sessions,  in  regard  to  preserving  a  history 
of  their  respective  congregations.  We  were  not 
aware  that  this  neglect  was  so  common  or  extensive 
in  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  until  we  came  to  seek 
the  information  necessary  for  the  satisfactory  accom- 
plishment of  our  present  undertaking.  In  the  case 
of  the  church  now  before  us,  we  were  sad  to  learn  that 
*'its  sessional  records,  previous  to  the  year  A.  D. 
1837,  are  not  to  be  found."  The  late  pastor  of  another 
large  congregation  writes,  that  ''In  furnishing  you 
with  facts  relative  to  our  church,  I  will  have  to 
depend  almost  entirely  on  oral  communications  from 
some  of  our  oldest  and  most  intelligent  church  mem- 
bers." In  several  other  instances,  also,  where  we 
hoped  to  meet  with  full  and  accurate  records,  we 
were  referred  to  floating,  and  sometimes  vague,  tradi- 
tions. 


GREENCASTLE     CHURCH.  165 

In  affirming  that  these  things  ought  not  so  to  be,  Ave 
are  sure  Tve  utter  a  sentiment  in  which  no  one,  after 
due  reflection,  can  fail  to  concur.  In  addition  to  the 
reasons  which  must  suggest  themselves  to  every  mind, 
in  favour  of  a  measure  which  would  enable  children's 
children  to  trace  back  to  its  beginning  the  congregation 
in  which  their  ancestors  worshipped,  we  may  be  allowed 
to  suggest  that  another  is  to  be  found  in  the  fact,  that 
in  this  vast  country  of  ours,  so  rapidly  rising  to  a 
magnitude  and  importance  almost  overwhelming  to 
the  mind,  and  in  which  Freedom's  and  Christianity's 
last  battle  seems  destined  to  be  fought,  every  revolv- 
ing year  is  attaching  augmented  interest  to  the  past, 
and  especially  to  the  primitive  churches,  which  were 
organized  for  the  diffusion  of  religion  and  morality, 
so  essential  to  national  greatness  and  perpetuity.  So, 
too,  wc  may  add,  is  it  constantly  becoming  of  more 
and  more  importance,  for  those  who  believe  that 
"  God  is  in  history,"  to  look  back  upon  the  moulding 
power  which  the  former  years  have  exerted  upon  the 
present,  and  to  study  the  Christianity  of  the  first  set- 
tlers of  our  land,  in  the  light  of  the  circumstances 
and  peculiar  influences  under  which  it  was  developed. 

It  is  also  to  be  deplored,  that  something  of  the 
blame  to  which  we  have  just  adverted,  attaches  to 
the  Presbytery  to  which  these  churches  belong.  Only 
in  the  year  1847  was  it  that  a  resolution  was  adopted 
by  this  body,  requiring  an  obituary  of  its  deceased 
clerical  members  to  be  prepared  and  preserved.  Pre- 
viously to  this   time,  the   simple  entry  upon   their 


166  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

book  of  records,  "The  Rev.  A.  B.  was  removed  by 
death  since  our  last  meeting,"  was  all  the  notice  that 
was  taken  of  the  demise  of  men,  many  of  w^hom  for 
long  years  preached  the  Gospel  faithfully  and  suc- 
cessfully within  their  bounds,  and  whose  history, 
consequently,  has  well-nigh  faded  away. 

But,  returning  from  this  digression,  we  proceed  to 
say  that,  in  the  year  1793,  "  in  consequence  of  some 
late  proceedings  of  the  congregation  of  Falling 
Spring,"  the  union  between  that  congregation  and 
the  congregation  of  East  Conococheague  was  severed. 
After  this  separation,  the  congregation  of  East  Cono- 
cocheague became  the  sole  charge  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Lang,  and  enjoyed  his  whole  labours.  This  gentle- 
man, on  a  charge  of  intemperance,  "  was  suspended 
from  the  exercise  of  the  Gospel  ministry  sine  die,"  in 
1802. 

In  October  of  the  same  year,  a  call  was  presented 
to  Mr.  Robert  Kennedy,  from  "  the  united  congre- 
gations of  East  and  Lower  West  Conococheague,"  or 
Welsh  Run,  which  was  accepted.  In  April,  1803, 
public  notice  having  been  given  (according  to  the 
custom  which  then  prevailed),  that  if  any  persons 
had  any  objections  to  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Kennedy, 
and  his  installation  in  the  congregations  to  which 
he  had  been  called,  they  should  state  them  at  a  spe- 
cified time,  and  no  objections  having  been  presented, 
Mr.  Kennedy  was  ordained  and  installed.  On  this 
occasion  the  sermon,  previous  to  the  induction  into 
the  ministerial  and  pastoral  ofiices,  was  preached  by 


GREENCASTLE    CHURCn.  167 

the  Rev.  Mr.  Snowdcn,  and  Dr.  Davidson  "presided 
and  gave  a  charge."  In  ISIT),  the  pastoral  rehition 
between  Mr.  Kennedy  and  these  congregations  was, 
by  his  own  request,  dissolved. 

In  relation  to  this  good  man,  the  Rev.  A.  A. 
M'Ginley,  D.D.,  for  many  years  his  co-presbyter 
and  familiar  friend,  has  thus  written : 

"  In  the  year  of  our  Lord  1803,  the  Rev.  Robert 
Kennedy  was  ordained  and  installed  Pastor  of  the 
Churches  of  Greencastle  and  Welsh  Run.  He  had 
ofl&ciated  as  their  stated  supply  for  six  previous  months. 
Mr.  Kennedy  was  born  in  the  lower  end  of  Lancaster 
County,  Pa.,  in  1775.  He  graduated  at  Dickinson 
College,  Carlisle.  He  was  the  best  scholar  in  his 
collegiate  class.  Immediately  after  leaving  College, 
he  commenced  the  study  of  Theology,  with  a  view  to 
the  Gospel  ministry.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Newcastle  in  1800.  At  that  time  there 
were  a  number  of  vacant  churches  in  the  bounds  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  where  Mr.  K.  laboured 
until  he  was  settled  as  above  stated.  On  the  morning 
of  the  day  of  his  ordination,  he  requested  the  Presby- 
tery to  dispense,  in  his  case,  with  the  ceremony  of  im- 
position of  hands,  alleging  that  it  was  not  intended  to 
be  continued  in  the  Church  after  the  cessation  of  mi- 
raculous gifts.  Presbytery  was  not  disposed  to  listen 
to  his  objection,  but  gave  him  half  an  hour  to  decide 
whether  he  would  remain  unordained,  or  submit  to  be 
ordained  in  the  usual  way.  With  deep  feeling,  he  at 
length  submitted  to  the  judgment  of  Presbytery. 


168  CHURCHES     OF    THE    VALLEY. 

"  As  a  jDreaclier,  Mr.  Kennedy  had  few  superiors. 
The  plan  of  his  discourses  was  as  clear  as  the  sun. 
He  could  pour  a  flood  of  light  on  almost  every  subject 
he  discussed.  And  although  his  voice  was  unmusical 
and  his  pronunciation  somewhat  peculiar,  yet  there 
was  no  difficulty,  but  great  pleasure  and  profit,  in  at- 
tending to  his  sermons.  They  were  always  orthodox, 
always  to  the  point,  always  instructive,  and  frequently 
very  impressive.  As  a  scholar,  Mr.  Kennedy  was 
superior  to  most  ministers  of  his  day.  Without  the 
assistance  of  an  instructor,  by  his  own  industry,  he 
obtained  a  competent  knowledge  of  the  Hebrew  lan- 
guage, and  was  master  of  Greek  and  Latin.  As  a  friend, 
Mr.  K.  was  most  valuable.  Firm  and  constant  in  his 
attachments,  he  would  not  suffer  dangers  or  difficul- 
ties to  alienate  him  from  those  for  w^hom  he  professed 
friendship." 

Two  years  after  the  pulpit  was  vacated  by  Mr. 
Kennedy's  resignation,  a  call  from  the  congregation 
of  East  Conococheague  was  given  to  the  Rev. 
James  Buchanan,  in  which  they  promised  him  nine 
hundred  dollars  annually,  and  agreed  to  allow  the 
people  of  Waynesburg  to  enjoy  the  one-third  of  his 
pastoral  labours.  Mr.  Buchanan,  who  had  previously 
been  settled  at  Harrisburg,  accepted  this  call,  and 
continued  to  serve  the  congregation,  though  never  in- 
stalled as  its  pastor,  until  1839,  when,  in  consequence 
of  ill  health,  which  disqualified  him  for  the  public 
duties  of  the  ministry,  his  connexions  with  it  was 
dissolved.    It  is,  we  need  scarcely  say,  an  anomalous 


GIIEENCASTLE    CHURCH.  169 

thing,  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  for  a  minister  to 
preach  to  a  congregation  so  long  a  time  without  in- 
stallation, but  this  irregularity  was  tolerated  in  this 
case  by  Presbytery,  in  view  of  Mr.  Buchanan's  feeble 
health,  which  from  year  to  year,  seemed  to  render 
such  a  solemnity  unadvisable. 

For  the  following  notice  of  this  excellent  man,  we 
are  indebted  to  the  Rev.  David  Elliott,  D.D.,  of  the 
Theological  Seminary  at  Allegheny,  who  was  long  and 
intimately  acquainted  with  him. 

"The  Rev.  James  Buchanan  was  a  native  of  Chester 
County,  Pennsylvania.  He  received  his  collegiate 
education  in  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle,  where  he 
was  graduated  Sept.  28th,  1803.  He  studied  Theo- 
logy with  the  Rev.  Nathan  Grier,  D.D.,  of  Brandy- 
wine,  and  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  New- 
castle, when  he  was  about  twenty-three  years  of  age. 
His  first  settlement  was  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  laboured  some 
years  with  faithfulness  and  success.  His  health 
having  become  impaired,  he  resigned  his  pastoral 
charge,  and  spent  several  years  in  travelling,  with  a 
view  to  its  restoration.  At  length,  finding  his  health 
in  some  degree  restored,  and  having  received  a  call 
from  the  congregation  of  Greencastle,  he  accepted 
it,  and  became  their  pastor  in  the  year  1816.  In 
this  pastoral  charge  he  laboured  with  great  fidelity 
and  acceptance  for  about  twenty  years,  when  on  ac- 
count of  declining  health,  and  his  inability  to  discharge 
his  pastoral  duties  to  his  own  satisfaction,  he  resigned 

15 


170  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

his  charge,  to  the  very  great  regret  of  his  congrega- 
tion, -ftho  -were  devotedly  attached  to  him.  In  hope 
of  retaining  him  ^vith  them,  they  generously  offered 
to  accept  a  diminished  amount  of  labour,  such  as  his 
•weak  health  would  allow,  without  any  diminution  of 
salary.  But  a  sense  of  duty  and  a  regard  to  their 
highest  interests,  induced  him  to  withdraw,  and  open 
the  way  for  the  settlement  of  another  pastor,  who 
would  be  able  to  give  them  the  full  amount  of  labour. 
By  changing  his  location,  also,  he  hoped  that  some- 
thing might  be  gained  in  point  of  health,  and  that 
his  life  might  be  rendered  more  useful  in  the  service 
of  his  Divine  Master.  He  accordingly  removed  with 
his  family  to  Logansport,  Indiana,  where,  in  charge  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  in  that  place,  he  laboured 
with  encouraging  success,  until  the  Head  of  the  Church 
dismissed  him  to  the  possession  of  his  reward.  As 
pleasing  evidence  that  he  did  not  labour  in  vain,  we 
have  been  informed  that  during  the  short  period  of 
his  ministry  there,  the  church  increased  from  about 
twenty  to  an  hundred  members.  His  death  took  place 
at  Logansport,  on  the  16th  of  September,  1843,  at 
the  age  of  sixty  years.  His  disease,  which  was  con- 
gestion of  the  brain,  and  which  at  its  first  appear- 
ance on  the  Sabbath,  obliged  him  to  close  abruptly 
the  public  services  of  the  sanctuary  in  which  he 
was  engaged,  terminated  in  death  on  the  Saturday 
morning  following,  at  five  o'clock.  The  nature  and 
violence  of  his  disease  incapacitated  him  for  much 
satisfactory  conversation.     He  gave  ample  evidence, 


GREENCASTLE    CHURCH.  171 

however,  of  his  resignation  to  tlie  ^vill  of  God,  and 
that  his  hope  of  salvation  -was  firmly  fixed  upon  the 
atoning  blood  of  Christ. 

To  strangers  -who  did  not  know  Mr.  Buchanan,  his 
appearance  was  rather  harsh  and  repulsive.  His  de- 
licate health  and  shattered  nerves,  often  greatly  af- 
fected his  spirits,  and  gave  to  his  countenance  the 
appearance  of  severity  and  moroseness.  But  he  was 
a  man  of  a  warm  heart,  and  of  a  kind  and  generous 
disposition.  In  his  friendships  he  was  steadfast,  as 
the  writer's  experience  for  upwards  of  twenty  years 
enables  him  to  attest.  Although  he  was  generally 
grave,  yet  in  the  midst  of  his  intimate  friends  he 
often  relaxed,  and  was  highly  cheerful  and  sociable. 
His  piety  was  of  a  retiring  and  unostentatious  charac- 
ter. It  was,  however,  eminently  practical,  prompting 
him  to  the  diligent  discharge  of  all  incumbent  duties. 
He  placed  a  very  low  estimate  on  his  own  piety,  and 
although  no  one  else  doubted  its  reality,  he  himself 
often  did.  His  bodily  complaints  gave  a  melan- 
choly complexion  to  his  religious  experience,  and  in- 
terfered largely  with  his  Christian  comfort :  occa- 
sionally, however,  he  was  favoured  with  seasons  of 
comfort,  during  which  he  greatly  enjoyed  the  conso- 
lations of  religion. 

As  a  preacher,  he  held  a  very  respectable  rank.  His 
sermons,  in  their  structure,  were  neat,  systematic, 
and  short ;  in  their  matter,  solid,  evangelical,  and 
practical ;  and  in  their  manner,  grave,  solemn,  and 
earnest.     Although  he  could  not  be  considered  elo- 


172      CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

quent,  he  scarcely  ever  failed  to  interest  and  please 
those,  who  were  capable  of  judging  correctly  and  had 
a  taste  for  good  preaching.  Indeed,  we  have  known 
very  few  men  who  preached  so  uniformly  well. 

In  the  Judicatories  of  the  Church,  Mr.  Buchanan 
rarely  spoke.  This  was  not  owing  to  any  want  of 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  Church,  or  any  want  of 
readiness  in  communicating  his  thoughts,  but  to  his 
nervous  debility,  which  induced  embarrassment,  and 
rendered  it  exceedingly  painful  for  him  to  make  the 
effort.  He  was,  however,  a  judicious  counsellor,  and 
did  his  part,  in  this  way,  in  the  disposal  of  the  busi- 
ness of  the  Church. 

In  his  doctrinal  views,  he  adhered  strictly  to  the 
standards  of  our  Church,  which  he  believed  to  be  in 
conformity  with  the  Word  of  God.  He  eschewed  all 
novelties  in  doctrines  and  forms  of  worship,  being 
content  to  walk  in  "the  old  paths,"  and  the  "good 
way"  in  which  his  fathers  had  trod.  He  was  deci- 
dedly and  from  conviction  Old  School,  and  gave  his 
hearty  approval  to  the  measures  which  were  adopted 
by  the  Assemblies  of  1837  and  1838,  to  purify  the 
Church  from  error." 

The  Rev.  J.  T.  Marshall  Davie  was  the  successor 
of  Mr.  Buchanan.  Mr.  Davie,  in  1840,  received  a 
call  from  the  congregations  of  Greencastle  and  Hagers- 
town.  This  call  he  accepted,  at  the  same  time  re- 
signing his  connexion  with  the  Church  at  Lancaster; 
and  in  this  new  relation  he  continued  until  1845, 
when,  by  his  desire,  it  was  dissolved. 


GREENCASTLE    CHURCH.  173 

After  Mr.  Davie's  resignation,  the  Rev.  T.  V. 
Moore,  of  Carlisle,  was  chosen  pastor  of  the  Church 
at  Greencastle ;  and  the  Church  at  Waynesboro', 
which  until  that  time  was  in  connexion  with  it,  then 
became  separated,  and  attached,  as  it  still  is,  to  the 
charge  of  the  Rev.  D.  D.  Clarke,  of  Adams  County. 
After  Mr.  Moore's  acceptance  of  a  call,  in  1847,  to 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Richmond,  Va., 
the  Rev.  W.  M.  Paxton  became  pastor  at  Greencastle, 
and  continued  in  that  relation  about  two  years,  when 
he  took  charge  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Pittsburg.  The  congregation,  after  having  been 
vacant  for  a  year  or  two,  has  recently  had  installed 
over  it  the  Rev.  Edwin  Emerson,  of  New  York,  and  a 
member  of  the  last  graduating  class  at  the  Theolo- 
gical Seminary  of  Princeton. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  those  who,  fifty 
years  ago  and  subsequently,  were  ruling  elders  in  the 
East  Conococheasfue  conorreo-ation : — John  M.  David- 
son,  Robert  Robison,  Mr.  Sellar,  John  Watson,  John 
M'Lean,  Dr.  John  Boggs,  Dr.  Andrew  Heathering- 
ton,  David  FuUerton.  All  of  these  have  gone  the 
way  of  all  flesh,  except  Robert  Robison,  who  now,  in 
the  85th  year  of  his  age,  still  continues  a  member  of 
session,  and  a  regular  attendant  on  the  public  minis- 
trations and  ordinances  of  God's  house.  ''In him," 
says  a  correspondent,  "  there  is  full  illustration  of 
the  words  of  the  Psalmist,  '  The  righteous  shall 
flourish  like  the  palm  tree,  he  shall  grow  like  a  cedar 
16* 


174      CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

in  Lebanon. — They  shall  still  bring  forth  fruit  in 
old  age  :  they  shall  be  fat  and  flourishing.'  " 

The  Session,  as  at  present  constituted,  consists  of 
Robert  Robison,  James  Davison,  John  Waddel,  and 
Dr.  James  K.  Davidson. 

The  first  building  used  as  a  place  of  public  worship, 
within  the  bounds  of  the  East  Conococheague  con- 
gregation, was  erected  near  a  spring,  on  the  lands  of 
Wm.  Rankin,  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  east  of 
Greencastle.  The  plan  of  the  edifice  was  one,  which 
appears  to  have  been  very  generally  adopted  through- 
out that  section  of  the  country,  at  that  time.  It 
was  a  frame  building,  42J  by  28J  feet,  one  story 
high,  weatherboarded,  and  painted  red.  The  inside 
was  ceiled  and  lined  with  boards.  There  was  an  aisle 
running  the  whole  length  of  the  building,  and  from 
this,  running  at  right  angles,  were  two  aisles,  leading 
to  the  front  of  the  building,  the  former  communicating 
at  each  end  with  a  door,  and  the  latter,  each  with  a 
door  in  front.  The  pulpit,  made  in  the  style  of  those 
days,  stood  at  the  middle  of  the  north  side  of  the 
house.  The  pews  were  arranged  on  either  side, 
and  in  front  along  the  aisle.  The  precise  number  of 
pews,  before  and  after  the  enlargement  of  the  build- 
ing, is  not  known.  During  the  incumbency  of  the 
Rev.  Robert  Kennedy,  for  want  of  sufficient  room  to 
accommodate  the  congregation  with  seats,  an  addition 
twelve  feet  wide,  was  made  to  the  front.  From  all  the 
information,  we  can  gain,  it  is  about  one  hundred 
years  since  the  "  Old  Red  Meeting-House,"  as   it 


GREENCASTLE    CHURCH.  175 

was,  and  is  still  called,  was  built.  This  was  about 
thirty  years  before  the  town  of  Grcencastle  was  laid 
out  by  Col.  John  Allison.  This  house  continued 
to  be  the  place  of  worship,  until  the  year  1828 
or  '29,  when  it  was  sold,  and  some  of  the  material, 
we  have  been  told,  was  used  in  the  construction  of  a 
barn,  which  still  stands  on  an  adjacent  farm.  At 
that  date  the  place  of  meeting  was  transferred  to 
Grcencastle. 

The  present  church  edifice,  is  situated  on  the  south 
side  of  West  Baltimore  Street,  and  was  built  in  the 
years  1829  and  '30.  It  is  a  plain  brick  building, 
being  60  feet  long  by  50  feet  wide,  finished  in  a  very 
neat  and  substantial  manner,  and  having  a  basement 
under  part  of  it.  There  are  two  aisles  running  its 
whole  length,  and  communicating  at  each  end  with 
double  doors.  It  contains  sixty-eight  pews,  and  can, 
under  the  present  arrangement,  very  conveniently 
accommodate  with  seats,  an  audience  of  four  hundred 
persons.  The  pulpit,  constructed  in  a  very  plain  and 
chaste  style,  somewhat  on  the  modern  plan,  stands 
in  the  middle  of  the  southern  end,  contrasting  well 
with  the  rest  of  the  building.  The  room  in  the  base- 
ment being  damp,  and  without  means  for  its  proper 
ventilation,  the  congregation,  a  few  years  since,  built 
quite  a  neat  and  beautiful  lecture-room,  near  to  the 
church,  in  which  the  Sabbath  School  now  assembles, 
and  the  weekly  meetings  are  regularly  held. 


176 


CHAPTER  X. 


ROCKY    SPRING    CHURCH. 

[A  series  of  articles,  entitled ''Chamhershurff  a?id  its  Changes," 
from  the  pen  of  William  C.  Lane,  M.D.,  appeared  in  the  <*  Cum- 
berland Valley  Sentinel,"  during  the  past  year.  To  the  polite- 
ness of  this  gentleman  we  are  indebted,  for  the  use  'which  is 
now  made  of  the  following  one  of  those  well- written  historical 
sketches.  It  was  prepared  with  so  much  accuracy,  as  to  ren- 
der unnecessary  on  our  part,  a  repetition  of  the  labour  of  its 
author,  in  the  collection  and  arrangement  of  the  materials 
which  it  embodies.  We  have  modified  the  article  somewhat,  to 
adapt  it  to  our  purpose,  and  made  to  it  several  considerable 
additions,  but  it  is  substantially  the  same  as  at  its  first  publi- 
cation.— A.  N.] 

So  we  descend ;  and  winding  round  a  rock, 
Attain  a  point  that  showed  the  valley— stretched 
In  length  before  us ;  and,  not  distant  far, 
Upon  a  rising  ground  a  gray  church  towers, 
^  Whose  battlements  were  screened  by  tufted  trees. 

And,  towards  a  crystal  mere,  that  lay  beyond, 
Among  steep  hills  and  woods  embosomed,  flowed 
A  copious  stream  with  boldly-winding  course ; 
Here  traceable,  there  hidden — there  again 
To  sight  restored,  and  glittering  in  the  sun. 
Green  is  the  churchyard,  beautiful  and  green, 
Ridge  rising  gently  by  the  side  of  ridge, 
A  heaving  surface — almost  wholly  fi-ee 
From  interruption  of  sepulchral  stones. 
And  mantled  o'er  with  aboriginal  turf 
And  everlasting  flowers. 

WORDSWOUTH. 

We  are  acquainted  with  no  spot  in  our  County, 


ROCKY    SPRING     CHURCH.  177 

around  -which  cluster  more  hallowed  and  interesting 
associations,  than  the  Church  at  Rocky  Spring. 

After  a  ride  of  four  miles  from  Chambcrsburg,  over 
the  tortuous  road  which  runs  over  the  Slate  Hills, 
towards  Strasburg,  we  approach  the  venerable  edifice. 
It  stands  near  the  brow  of  a  hill,  which  slopes  gra- 
dually away  in  the  distance,  towards  the  east.  The 
hill  seems  to  be  composed  almost  entirely  of  limestone 
rocks,  and,  at  the  foot,  near  the  Spring,  wdiere  some 
excavating  has  been  done,  are  to  be  seen  large  masses 
of  rock,  rising  to  some  distance  above  the  level  of  the 
water,  and  indicating  that  the  whole  hill  is  composed 
of  the  same  material.  The  country  for  miles  around  is 
all  slate  land,  through  which  a  vein  of  limestone  runs, 
upon  which  the  church  is  situated.  At  the  foot  of 
the  hill,  below  the  church,  on  the  west,  the  Eocky 
Spring  gushes  from  the  hill,  and  spreads  out  into  a 
broad  sheet  of  cold  and  clear  water  in  the  vale ;  and 
after  forming  a  pretty  cascade  by  falling  over  an 
embankment,  soon  becomes  lost  among  the  luxuriant 
meadows,  and  quietly  wends  its  way  to  Back  Creek, 
into  which  it  empties.  As  we  approach  the  Spring 
from  Chambcrsburg,  we  pass  a  beautiful  woods  upon 
a  high  hill,  opposite  to  which,  in  the  valley,  is  an  old 
orchard,  thickly  filled  with  ancient  fruit  trees.  There 
are  several  roads  leading  to  the  church  from  different 
directions,  which  make  it  easy  of  access  from  all  points. 
From  the  hill-top,  the  view  is  one  which  is  not  often 
excelled  for  picturesque  and  lovely  scenery.      The 


178  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

hills  and  valleys  spotted  over  -with  farm-houses,  the 
thick  woods  and  green  fields,  the  beautiful  stream 
meandering  through  the  rich  meadows,  the  old  build- 
ing and  its  graveyard  with  its  ancient  tombs  and 
fragments  of  broken  fences  about  the  graves,  make 
the  prospect  one  of  more  than  ordinary  beauty  and 
interest. 

The  church  is  an  ancient  and  time-worn  structure, 
which  stands  upon  the  hill-side,  without  any  ornament 
near  it,  except  a  single  large  hickory  tree,  which 
grows  near  the  north  end,  and  a  small  cluster  of  trees 
a  few  rods  distant  towards  the  southwest.  Its  form 
is  nearly  square,  and  is  in  size,  about  60  by  48  feet. 
It  is  built  of  brick,  upon  a  stone  foundation  which  is 
several  feet  in  height.  On  the  southern  side  is  the 
front  of  the  church.  There  are  two  doors  by  which 
it  is  entered,  and,  as  the  floor  is  some  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  ground,  some  kind  of  steps  are  requisite. 
One  door  is  reached  by  five^rude  steps,  similar  to  those 
used  in  cellars,  formed  out  of  heavy  boards,  and  which 
are  not  cased  on  either  side.  At  the  other  door  lie 
two  rough  logs,  which  answer  the  purpose  of  steps. 
The  west  side  is  also  provided  with  steps,  precisely 
like  those  just  described,  and  has  one  door  only.  A 
single  door  is  found  on  the  eastern  end,  where  we  find 
old  steps  also  of  similar  description.  These  steps 
look  as  if  they  had  stood  there  for  many  years,  pro- 
bably ever  since  the  church  was  built,  and  are  now  in 
a  state  of  rapid  decay.     On  the  northern  side,  there 


ROCKY     SPRING     CHURCH.  179 

is  no  entrance,  but  there  are  four  Avindows,  between 
two  of  which  is  a  small  square  one,  which  is  immedi- 
ately behind  the  pulpit.  The  window-shutters  arc 
made  of  plain  boards,  Avithout  any  panel-work,  and, 
together  with  the  doors,  were  formerly  painted  red. 
Time  has,  however,  nearly  removed  the  paint,  and 
leaves  them  of  a  dark  rust-colour.  The  doors  are 
somewhat  more  elaborately  made,  and  like  the  window- 
shutters,  exhibit  the  same  evidences  of  age.  The 
arches  of  brickwork  above  the  windows  and  doors 
were  painted  red,  and  form  a  contrast  with  the  rest 
of  the  building.  There  is  no  enclosure  around  the 
building,  which  stands  alone  upon  the  barren  and 
dreary  hill.  The  inside  is  in  correspondence  with 
the  exterior  of  the  edifice.  As  we  enter,  we  observe 
the  pews  formed  very  much  like  those  of  modern 
times,  with  high  straight  backs,  and  without  any  paint. 
Their  arrangement  is  like  that  in  our  modern 
churches.  The  aisles  are  paved  with  bricks,  and  in 
some  places,  these  having  crumbled  away,  limestones 
have  been  substituted.  The  broad  space  in  front  of 
the  pulpit,  and  between  it  and  the  pews,  is  also  paved 
with  brick.  The  floors  of  the  pews  are  boarded.  The 
pulpit  is  old-fashioned  and  rough.  It  is  of  a  circular 
form,  and  extends  some  feet  from  the  wall.  Above, 
there  is  an  oval-shaped  sounding-board,  or  canopy, 
on  which  is  a  rude  representation  of  a  star.  A  plain 
wooden  casement  extends  on  either  side  of  the  pulpit, 
which,  together  with  the  pulpit,  is  painted  a  deep  blue 


180  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

colour.  The  pulpit  is  entered  bj  a,  staircase,  towards 
which  a  passage,  with  railing  on  each  side,  leads.  In 
front  of,  and  below  the  pulpit,  is  the  chancel.  It  is 
a  square  enclosure  with  board  walls,  and  contains  an 
old-fashioned  walnut  table,  a  bench  formed  of  heavy 
timber  with  rough  supports,  a  hickory  chair,  and  a 
couple  of  benches  attached  to  the  sides  of  the  enclo- 
sure. The  ceiling  is  arched,  and  at  the  place  where 
the  walls  and  the  ceiling  meet,  there  is  placed  all 
around  the  room,  a  narrow  strip  of  board,  which,  to- 
gether with  the  edges  of  the  window  cases,  is  painted 
blue,  similar  to  the  pulpit.  There  are  standing  in 
the  church,  a  couple  of  old  ten-plate  stoves,  which 
have  a  rough,  ancient  appearance,  and  Avere  doubtless 
among  the  first  of  the  kind  cast  in  the  country.  The 
pipes  extend  directly  upwards,  and  two  holes  are  cut 
into  the  ceiling,  through  which  they  are  admitted  into 
the  garret  above.  There  are  no  chimneys  on  the 
church,  and  we  presume  the  pipes  are  extended 
through  the  openings  which  are  near  the  upper  por- 
tion of  the  end  walls,  and  which  are  now  covered  with 
rough  boards,  that  are  some  distance  apart. — At 
one  end  of  the  ceiling,  near  the  entrance  at  the  south 
side,  is  a  square  opening,  which  serves  as  an  admit- 
tance to  the  loft.  This  is  reached  by  means  of  a  rude 
ladder,  which  is  permitted  to  remain  in  the  church, 
and  which  makes  the  ascent  steep  and  dangerous. — 
The  numbers  of  the  pews  are  marked  upon  the  doors 
with  red  chalk.     In  several  of  the  back  pews,  is  a 


ROCKY     SPRING     CUURCU.  181 

quantity  of  wood,  and  the  utensils  necessary  for  dig- 
ging graves. 

Strange  feelings  occupy  tlie  mind,  while  wandering 
through  this  ancient  House  of  God.  Those  pews 
once  held  the  venerable  forms  of  our  forefathers, 
who,  in  imagination,  resume  their  places,  but  who 
have  long  since  been  laid  in  their  tombs.  Not  one 
member  of  those  who  worshipped  there  in  olden  times, 
now  exists.  In  yonder  pulpit,  for  more  than  half  a 
century,  the  men  of  God  delivered  their  exhortations, 
and  in  powerful  and  eloquent  strains  pointed  their 
hearers  to  the  "  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh  away  the 
sins  of  the  world."  There,  upon  yonder  platform 
stood  the  clerk,  who  raised  the  song  of  praise  from 
Sabbath  to  Sabbath,  for  a  lifetime  of  years.  We  can 
almost  yet  hear  those  songs  as  they  ascend  from  the 
worshippers,  and  are  borne  upon  the  breeze  towards 
the  throne  of  the  Almighty  Being,  in  whose  praise 
they  are  sung.  Those  places  are  now  all  filled  by 
strangers,  and  among  the  congregation  can  only  be 
found,  a  few  of  the  old  men,  who  were  children  when 
the  church  was  built.  Those  ancient  walls  have 
resounded  with  countless  songs  of  praise ;  and  thou- 
sands of  eloquent  sermons  have  been  delivered  from 
the  old  pulpit,  and  who  can  tell  how  many  immortal 
spirits  have  found  admittance  within  the  gates  of 
heaven,  through  their  instrumentality  ? 

"While  we  gaze  on  the  old  building,  and  reflect  upon 
the  memories  of  those  who  worshipped  there  long  ago, 

16 


182  CHURCHES    OF    THE     VALLEY. 

we  are  forcibly  reminded  of  our  own  mortality.  The 
persons  engaged  in  constructing  the  venerable  edifice, 
and  those  connected  with  it  as  members  at  the  time 
of  its  erection,  are  all  gone.  So  too  with  us — a  few 
short  years  will  fly  swiftly  away,  and,  as  with  eagle 
wings,  we  will  soon  be  in  the  eternal  future.  Soon 
we  will  meet,  face  to  face,  in  another  world,  the  old 
worshippers  whose  place  we  are  now  contemplating 
in  the  lonely  church. 

The  original  church,  which  was  built  about  the 
time  the  ancient  congregation  was  organized,  stood 
between  the  present  building  and  the  graveyard.  It 
stood  pretty  much  in  the  relation  to  the  points  of 
the  compass,  which  the  new  church  sustains, — the 
front  being  towards  the  south,  and  smaller  ends 
facing  the  east  and  west.  It  was  erected  about  one 
hundred  and  ten  years  ago,  and  was  a  rough  log 
building,  a  story  and  a  half  high ;  and  was  built  in 
the  rude  style  of  architecture  peculiar  to  that  early 
day.  It  had  one  row  of  windows  on  the  lower  story, 
the  lights  of  which  were  small  and  few  in  number. 
It  was  entered  by  two  doors,  which  were  placed  in 
the  eastern  and  western  ends  of  the  house.  The 
doors  were  small  and  single ;  they  were  made  of 
plain  boards,  without  any  panel-work. 

AVe  find  the  following  reference  to  this  church,  on 
the  minutes  of  a  meeting  of  a  committee  of  Presby- 
tery, assembled  at  "  Canigogig,  16th  Nov.,  1739," 
for  the  settlement  of  certain  difficulties  which  had 
arisen  : — "  A  supplication  being  presented  and  read, 


ROCKY    SPRING     CHURCH.  183 

requesting  the  committee's  concurrence  that  the 
meeting-house  be  erected  at  the  Rocky-Spring,  and 
hearing  a  great  deal  on  both  sides  of  the  question, 
the  Committee  observing  that  proper  methods  ^vere 
fallen  into  some  time  ago  to  regulate  this  affaire,  and 
that  a  report  of  the  good  issue  thereof  being  made 
by  Bro.  Craighead  and  a  Commissioner  from  that 
people,  together  with  several  other  circumstances  too 
tedious  here  to  insert,  doe  agree  and  conclude  that 
the  house  for  publick  worship  be  erected  as  nigh  to 
the  Falling  Spring  as  conveniently  as  may  be." 

The  present  building  was  erected  in  the  year 
1794,  by  Mr.  Walter  Beatty,  the  gentleman  by 
whom  the  old  Court  House  was  erected,  soon  after 
the  formation  of  Franklin  County.  The  old  building, 
although  rude  and  uncomfortable  in  many  respects, 
answered  the  purpose  of  a  place  of  worship  very  well, 
for  some  years  after  the  organization  of  the  congre- 
gation. But,  as  this  increased,  it  was  found  neces- 
sary to  build  an  addition  to  the  house.  This  was 
formed  by  constructing  a  small  square  building, 
which  was  attached  to  the  south  side  of  the  church, 
and  which  extended  only  one-half  the  length  of  the 
main  structure.  The  roof  was  then  continued  over 
it  from  the  original  edifice.  When  completed,  the 
wall  between  it  and  the  church  was  sawn  away. 
There  were  no  windows  in  this  addition,  and  it  was 
consequently  poorly  supplied  with  light.  In  a  few 
years  after  this  alteration,  the  increasing  size  of  the 
congregation  demanded  still  more  room,  and  another 


184  CHURCHES    OF    THE     VALLEY. 

similar  addition  was  built  by  its  side.  These  altera- 
tions gave  the  house  a  singular,  slanting  appearance 
towards  the  south  end.  The  logs  with  which  the 
former  building  was  erected,  were  used  in  construct- 
ing the  dwelling-house  now  occupied  by  Mr.  George 
Sprecher,  who  resides  some  two  miles  from  Rocky 
Spring. 

About  the  time  the  original  church  was  erected, 
there  was  also  built  a  small,  rough  log  structure, 
about  fifteen  feet  square,  with  a  wide  fire-place,  and 
a  large,  wooden  chimney,  covered  with  mortar,  and 
extending  nearly  along  the  whole  end  of  the  house. 
This  structure  stood  close  beside  the  church  at  the 
northeastern  end,  and  was  called  the  "  Study  House." 
We  are  told  by  an  aged  member  of  the  congregation, 
that  it  was  originally  built  as  a  receptacle  for  the 
saddles  of  the  members  in  rainy  weather,  as,  in  those 
early  days,  they  generally  came  to  church  on  horse- 
back— carriages  and  other  vehicles  being  rarely  used. 
In  later  years,  the  minister  was  accustomed  to  use  it, 
in  preparing  for  the  services,  when  he  chanced  to 
arrive  before  the  hour  at  which  they  began.  The 
church  session  also  met  here,  and  arranged  the  busi- 
ness of  the  church,  and  examined  candidates  for  ad- 
mission to  membership.  After  service,  the  minister 
would  resort  to  it  to  prepare  for  any  afternoon  ser- 
vice which  was  to  be  held.  The  necessity  of  such  a 
place  will  be  obvious,  when  it  is  remembered  that  the 
church  officers,  from  the  distance  at  which  they  lived 
from  the  church,  were  obliged  to  hold  their  meetings 


ROCKY     SPRING     CHURCH.  185 

on  Sabbath,  when  they  had  collected  for  the  exercises 
of  the  day ;  and,  as  the  church  would  then  be  occu- 
pied by  the  congregation,  private  business  could  not 
be  transacted  there.  The  "Study  House"  stood  for 
nearly  a  hundred  years,  and  only  a  few  years  have 
elapsed  since  its  removal. 

It  was  in  the  old  log  church  that  its  first  pastor, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Craighead,  preached  for  many  years. 
There  it  was  that  the  minister,  in  glowing  terms, 
preached  Jesus  Christ,  the  only  hope  of  salvation, 
and  after  the  delivery  of  his  sacred  message,  in  elo- 
quent and  patriotic  strains,  exhorted  the  youth  of 
the  congregation  to  rise  up,  and  join  the  noble  band, 
then  engaged  under  the  immortal  Washington,  in 
struggling  to  free  our  beloved  country  from  British 
oppression.  It  is  related  that,  upon  one  occasion, 
from  the  pulpit,  the  patriotic  preacher  declaimed  in 
such  burning  and  powerful  terms  against  the  wrongs 
we  then  were  suffering,  that  after  one  glowing  de- 
scription of  the  duty  of  the  men,  the  whole  congre- 
gation rose  from  their  seats,  and  declared  their  will- 
ingness to  march  to  the  conflict. 

There  was  but  one,  tradition  says,  in  the  entire 
assembly,  who  was  not  overcome  by  the  stirring 
appeal  that  was  made,  and  that  was  an  aged  female, 
in  whom  maternal  affection,  recently  caused  to  bleed, 
completely  mastered  both  a  sense  of  propriety  and 
the  love  of  liberty.  "Stop,  Mr.  Craighead,"  she 
exclaimed;  "I  jist  want  to  tell  ye,  agin  you  loss 
such  a  purty  boy  as  I  have,  in  the  war,  ye  will  na  be 
16* 


186  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

SO  keen  for  fighting  ;  quit  ttalking,  and  gang  yersel  to 
the  war.  Yer  always  preaching  to  the  boys  about  it, 
but  I  dinna  think  ye'd  be  very  likely  to  gang  yersel. 
Jist  go  and  try  it." 

As  we  walk  reverentially  over  the  hill,  we  feel  as 
if  we  were  treading  upon  sacred  ground — dedicated 
to  God  and  American  Liberty.  We  can  almost 
fancy  we  see  the  man  of  God  standing  where  we 
now  stand,  telling  to  the  assembled  multitude  the 
story  of  their  country's  wrongs,  and  urging  them  to 
hesitate  no  longer  which  to  choose,  cowardly  inacti- 
vity or  the  noble  part  of  brave  defenders  of  their 
country's  rights.  We  hear  him  call  on  them  as  he 
stands  before  his  old  church,  and  requests  those  who 
desire  to  march  with  him  to  battle,  to  hesitate  no 
longer,  but  place  themselves  by  his  side,  and  acknow- 
ledge him  their  commander,  who  will  lead  them  to 
the  field  of  battle,  where  they  w^ill  save  America,  or 
perish  in  the  cause  of  Freedom.  One  by  one  they 
approach  their  pastor,  and  soon  a  long  line  of  daunt- 
less spirits  stretches  across  the  green  to  the  neigh- 
bouring wood.  The  wives,  mothers,  and  sisters,  stand 
gazing  on  the  exciting  scene,  and  with  sweet,  encou- 
raging words,  urge  them  to  stand  by  their  pastor 
and  captain,  and  trust  in  the  arm  of  the  Lord  of 
Hosts  for  the  result.  At  length  the  line  is  completed, 
and  they  are  dismissed,  to  meet  on  the  following 
Monday.  Soon  after  the  dawn  of  day,  might  be  seen 
the  sturdy  husbandman,  with  gray  hairs  scattered 
over  his  brow,  and  the  youth  of  few  years,  reaching 


ROCKY     SPRING    CHURCH.  187 

down  their  old  fire-arms,  hitherto  used  only  for 
beasts  of  prey,  or  the  wild  game,  hut  now  to  he  used 
for  other  purposes.  They  fling  around  their  necks 
their  rude  powder-horns  and  bullet-pouches,  and 
"shouldering  their  guns,  march  to  the  place  of  ren- 
dezvous. As  the  eye  wanders  over  the  neighbour- 
hood, in  the  distance  they  may  be  seen,  one  by  one, 
drawing  near  the  hill.  Soon  they  are  all  assembled, 
and  their  company  is  organized,  and  after  an  elo- 
quent appeal  to  the  Almighty,  the  Reverend  Captain 
places  himself  at  their  head,  and  the  noble  band 
marches  off  to  battle.  As  they  march  away  over 
the  hills,  ever  and  anon  they  cast  a  lingering  look 
back  upon  their  beloved  friends,  who  stand  weeping 
upon  the  hill,  and  upon  their  old  and  loved  place  of 
worship,  which  many  of  them  will  never  enter  again. 
The  company  joined  the  army  of  Washington,  and 
gave  undoubted  evidence  that  their  courage  was  of 
no  mean  order,  but  was  based  upon  the  hallowed 
principles  of  Christianity ;  which,  although  discoun- 
tenancing bloodshed  and  war,  does  not  forbid  the 
oppressed  to  make  an  effort  to  throw  off  the  yoke  of 
the  oppressor. 

Their  Captain  engaged  vigorously  in  the  war,  and 
during  the  hours  spent  in  camp,  habitually  acted  as 
chaplain  to  the  soldiers.  After  the  war  was  over,  he 
returned  to  his  charge,  and  faithfully  watched  over 
the  congregation  until  the  period  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1T99. 

"We  will  now  enter  the  graveyard,  and  describe 


188  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

the  appearance  of  the  tombs  which  mark  the  places 
where  many  of  the  old  members  of  the  congrega- 
tion sleep.  The  graveyard  is  large,  and  is  en- 
closed by  a  rough  post-and-rail  fence.  Over  the 
gateway  is  a  yoke,  extending  from  one  post  to  the 
opposite  one.  Along  the  fence,  on  the  outside  of  the 
yard,  near  the  gate,  stand  three  or  four  oak  trees. 
These,  with  two  poplar  and  wild  cherrytrees  in  the 
southern  end,  and  a  single  cedar  near  the  centre  of 
the  yard,  are  the  only  trees  about  the  enclosure.  The 
ground  is  covered  w^th  thick  and  high  grass,  and  wild 
thyme  grows  luxuriantly  over  the  greater  portion  of 
the  graveyard.  We  are  sorry  to  say  that  this  desti- 
tution of  trees  is  not  natural,  but  is  owing  to  the  de- 
structive propensities  of  uncultivated  man.  In  looking 
over  the  yard,  we  may  see  many  trunks  of  noble  trees 
which  fell  before  the  axe.  One  stood  near  the  tomb 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Craighead,  and  the  beams  of  the 
beating  sun  were  obstructed  by  its  wide-spreading 
branches.  It  has  been  removed ;  and  now  the  spot  is 
bare  and  cheerless,  and  the  tomb  lies  exposed  to  the 
rays  of  the  scorching  summer  sun.  Previously,  it 
Avas  shaded  and  cool,  and  was  a  lovely  spot  for  the 
visitor  to  linger  and  meditate  upon  the  life  and  cha- 
racter of  the  departed  ;  and,  also  upon  the  interesting 
scenes  which  were  long  years  ago  enacted  on  the  hill- 
side near  by.  What  think  you,  reader,  was  the  cause 
which  was  deemed  sufficient  to  justify  such  wanton 
destruction  ?  We  are  told  they  shaded  the  tombs  and 
made  them  and  the  yard  too  damp  !  This  very  fact 
would  have  appealed  urgently  to  a  cultivated  heart 


ROCKT    SPRING     CHURCH.  189 

in  their  behalf,  but  the  bold  destroyers  deemed  it  a 
sufficient  reason  for  their  destruction.  We  envy  not 
the  feelings  of  a  man  who  would  thus  ruthlessly  enter 
the  pla'cc  where  rest  the  dead,  and  rob  their  graves  of 
their  proudest  ornaments.  They  had  stood  there 
perhaps,  ever  since  the  old  log  church  was  erected, 
now  more  than  a  century  ago,  and  had  sheltered  the 
ancient  congregation  from  the  oppressive  heat  of 
many  a  summer's  day.  For  many  long  years,  under 
those  trees,  the  Reverend  Pastor  and  his  flock  assem- 
bled, and  exchanged  the  courteous  salutations  of  friend- 
ly intercourse,  upon  each  successive  Sabbath  day. 
Here,  the  venerable  sires  and  matrons  of  the  congre- 
gation met  before  the  hour  for  service,  or  during 
the  intermission  at  noon,  and  talked  over  the  excit- 
ing events  of  the  Revolution,  and  expressed  their 
kind  interest  in  the  welfare  of  those  of  their  brethren 
and  neighbours,  who  were  then  fighting  for  our  inde- 
pendence, under  the  illustrious  "Washington.  There 
they  recounted  each  gallant  deed  of  the  patriot  band, 
until  their  youthful  auditors  burned  with  patriotic 
enthusiasm,  and  bravely  declared  their  determination 
to  march  off  to  the  tented  field,  and  join  their  com- 
rades in  the  fight.  Amongst  those  lofty  boughs,  the 
gentle  dove  built  her  nest  and  reared  her  young, 
whose  mournful  notes,  as  the  shades  of  evening  drew 
near,  seemed  a  fitting  requiem  for  the  spirits  of  the 
dead.  Upon  the  topmost  branches  of  those  venerable 
trees,  the  lark  alighted,  as  the  morning  dawned  from 
behind  the   eastern   horizon,  and  in  sweet,   harmo- 


190  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

nious  strains,  sung  her  matin  song,  as  if  oiFering  her 
tribute  of  praise  to  the  Great  Creator  of  the  lovely 
scenes  amidst  which  she  lived.  From  some  ancient 
walnut,  the  timid  squirrel  looked  out  from  his  nest, 
with  curious  eye,  upon  the  assembly  below,  until,  at 
length  becoming  accustomed  to  their  presence,  he 
shipped  playfully  among  the  branches,  and  gathered 
the  ripened  fruit  to  provide  against  the  approaching 
winter. 

We  will  now  enter  the  old  churchyard,  and  endea- 
vour to  trace  out  the  inscriptions  on  its  ancient  and 
moss-covered  tombs.  A  feeling  of  awe  pervades  our 
mind  as  we  wander  over  the  resting-places  of  those 
who  lived,  many  of  them,  almost  a  century  ago. 
Here  sleep  many  brave  spirits  who  freely  ventured 
their  all  to  secure  the  precious  freedom  which  we  now 
enjoy.  Here  are  they  who  settled  among  the  hills 
and  dales  which  surround  us  on  every  side,  and  the 
stroke  of  whose  axe  first  broke  the  stillness  of  the 
forest,  and  who  cleared  the  fruitful  fields,  now  covered 
with  the  luxuriant  harvest,  which  are  in  the  pos- 
session of  those  who  were  then  unborn.  Here  lies 
the  beloved  Pastor  of  the  old  congregation,  and  all 
around  him  repose  the  remains  of  the  persons  who 
listened  for  many  long  years  to  his  eloquent  teach- 
ings, and  who,  in  time  of  danger,  marched  with  him 
to  share  the  perils  of  the  protracted  struggles  which 
released  our  land  from  the  tyranny  of  a  foreign  foe. 
Here  rest  the  honoured  remains  of  the  ancestors  of 
many  of  our  community,  who  have  long  since  ceased 


IIOCKY    STRINT.     CHURCH.  191 

the  struggle  incident  to  human  life.  All  aronnd  us 
lie  the  brave  men  of  other  nations  "who  came  to  our 
land,  and  among  the  Avilds  of  a  savage  and  uninhabited 
region,  built  the  House  of  God,  and  disseminated 
through  our  remote  settlements,  the  hallowed  princi- 
ples of  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ.  The  graves  of 
many  of  these  bear  no  inscriptions,  by  means  of  which 
the  name  and  station  of  the  occupant  can  be  ascer- 
tained. Many  of  them  are  only  marked  by  rude 
stones,  or  boards,  which  have  almost  crumbled  into 
dust  after  the  long  lapse  of  years  since  they  were 
erected. 

As  we  enter  the  graveyard,  from  the  gate,  at  the 
distance  of  a  few  feet  from  the  fence,  we  meet  the  rest- 
ing-place of  the  first  regular  minister  of  the  llocky 
Spring  Church.  When  the  tomb  was  first  built,  it 
consisted  of  a  brick  wall,  upon  which  a  large  flat  slab 
of  gray  stone  was  placed.  Through  the  efl'ects  of 
time,  the  walls  have  sunk,  and  the  slab  now  lies  upon 
the  ground — we  are  sorry  to  say,  broken  into  several 
pieces.  These  again,  are  broken  into  numerous 
smaller  portions,  and  are  so  scattered  about,  that  it 
is  somewhat  difficult  to  make  out  the  inscription.  In  a 
short  time  more,  these  numerous  fragments,  bearing 
parts  of  the  letters  of  the  inscription,  must  necessarily 
become  scattered  and  lost,  and  the  visitor  will  vainly 
endeavour  to  read  the  remaining  characters. 

It  shows  little  respect  for  the  memory  of  the  great 
and  good  man  who  lies  beneath,  for  the  children  of 
hisoldcon";re<:]:ation — the  co-labourers  in  his  efforts  in 


192      CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

disseminating  the  precious  messages  of  the  Book  of 
Life — thus  to  permit  his  tomb  to  be  destroyed,  with- 
out making  an  effort  to  save  it.  The  recollections  of 
the  past  should  induce  them  to  protect  it,  and  not 
permit  even  this  last  memento  of  departed  worth  to 
be  broken  into  fragments,  and  cast  uselessly  away. 
After  collecting  the  broken  pieces,  and  placing  them 
in  their  proper  position,  we  were  enabled  to  read  the 
following  inscription : 

'^  In  memory  of  the  Rev.  John  Craighead,  who  de- 
parted this  life  the  20th  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1799, 
aged  57  years.  Ordained  to  preach  the  Gospel  and 
installed  pastor  of  the  congregation  of  Rocky  Spring, 
on  the  13th  of  April,  A.  D.  1768.  He  was  a  faithful 
and  zealous  servant  of  Jesus  Christ." 

To  the  right  of  the  grave,  stands  the  stump  of  a 
large  forest  tree  :  and  a  beautiful  cedar,  the  only  one 
in  the  yard,  grows  near  its  foot.  The  space  all 
around  the  tomb  is  beautifully  covered  with  thyme, 
which  somewhat  relieves  the  barrenness  of  the  spot. 
Near  the  tomb  of  the  Minister  are  three  graves, 
marked  by  stones  of  a  very  ancient  appearance,  one 
of  which  contains  the  following  inscription  : 

"  In  memory  of  James  Robertson,  who  departed 
this  life  August  13,  1793,  aged  4  years  and  ten 
months." 

Another  stands  by  its  side,  and  bears  the  inscrip- 
tion : 

"  In  memory  of  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Alexander  Ro- 


IIOCKY    SPRING     C  nunc  II.  193 

bcrtson,  who  departed  this  life  8th  April,  1780,  aged 
30  years." 

Near  by  is  a  third  stone,  from  which  we  copy  the 
following  words  : 

''  In  memory  of  William  Robertson,  who  departed 
this  life  April,  1796,  aged  41  years. 

"  In  the  same  grave  lieth  their  infant  daughter  Eli- 
zabeth." 

These  three  stones  are  of  gray  slate,  of  a  much 
harder  quality  than  the  ordinary  slate,  and  which 
seems  to  be  little  influenced  by  the  hand  of  time. 
They  are  all  near  the  grave  of  the  Pastor,  a  little  to 
the  east  of  his  tomb,  and  partly  under  the  shade  of 
the  cedar  tree  which  stands  near  by.  To  the  left,  as 
we  enter  the  gate,  is  an  old  stone,  formed  of  slate,  upon 
which  we  find  the  following  words,  cut  in  very  old- 
fashioned  letters  : 

"  In  memory  of  Mary  Cummins,  who  departed  this 
life  Nov.  9th,  1790,  aged  17  years." 

By  its  side  is  another  stone,  of  the  same  character, 
of  which  the  following  epitaph  is  a  representation : 

"  In  memory  of  John  Boyd,  who  departed  this  life 
in  the  year  1770." 

"  In  memory  of  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Charles  Cum- 
mins, who  departed  this  life  9th  Sept.,  1802,  aged  54 
years." 

These  three  last-mentioned  graves  stand  side  by 
side,  and  contain  members  of  the  same  family. 

Near  the  latter  is  another  old  stone,  of  the  same 
kind,  and  upon  which  the  following  words  appear : 

17 


194  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

"  In  memory  of  Mary,  wife  of  John  Boyd,  who  died 
June  30th,  1778." 

"  In  memory  of  Elizabeth  Cummins,  who  died  Deer. 
30,  1792,  aged  12  years." 

To  the  right  of  these  graves,  and  near  the  entrance 
to  the  yard,  is  the  oldest  tombstone  in  the  burying- 
ground.  It  is  roughly  carved  on  a  hard  slate  stone, 
similar  to  those  already  described,  and  which  differs 
considerably  from  the  slate  found  in  the  neighbour- 
hood. We  are  ignorant  of  the  source  from  which  it 
was  derived.  It  has  a  venerable  and  antique  ap- 
pearance, and  in  the  form  of  the  letters,  and  the  mode 
of  spelling,  differs  materially  from  the  custom  of  later 
times.  The  stone  is  nearly  round  on  the  top,  and 
contains  a  rim  cut  into  it  in  a  rough  manner. 
Above  the  inscription  appears  a  representation  of  an 
angel's  face  and  wings.  The  stone  is  covered  with 
moss,  which  sticks  tenaciously  to  it,  and  renders  its 
deciphering  a  task  somewhat  dilfficult.  The  following 
is  a  copy  of  the  inscription  : 

"  Here  lys  the  body  of  John  Burns,  who  departed 
this  life  December  y^   23,  1760,  aged  ;  79  years." 

The  occupant  of  this  tomb  lived  at  a  period  before 
any  settlement  wasmadeinthispart  of  the  State,  and 
when  nearly  all  of  Pennsylvania  was  a  howling  wil- 
derness. He  was  born  in  1681 — one  year  before 
William  Penn  came  to  America.  His  remains  have 
lain  here  for  nearly  one  hundred  years.  At  the  period 
of  his  death,  he  lived  where  Mr.  Tobias  Crider  now 
resides.     In  the  neighbourhood,   near  this  grave,  is 


ROCKY    SPRING     CHURCH.  195 

another,  marked  by  a  couple  of  moss-covered  lime- 
stones, bearing  no  letters,  but  covered  \N'ith  grass,  and 
about  which  fragments  of  a  fence  yet  remain.  This 
is  doubtless  amongst  the  oldest  graves  in  the  burying- 
ground. 

In  the  southwestern  corner  of  the  yard,  is  an  old 
tomb,  the  walls  of  which  are  of  rough,  unhewn  lime- 
stone, and  which  is  covered  by  two  marble  slabs  of 
large  size.  Beneath  this  tomb  sleep  an  aged  couple 
and  several  of  their  children.  The  venerable  pair 
far  transcended  the  usual  limits  of  human  life,  and 
lived  to  an  extreme  old  age.  The  wall  is  falling 
away  on  one  side,  and  the  rough  stones,  together  Avith 
the  old  marble  slabs,  coloured  almost  black  by  age, 
give  the  tomb  an  ancient  and  interesting  appearance. 
One  slab  of  mottled  marble  gives  us  the  following 
memorial  of  those  who  rest  beneath  it. 

''In  memory  of  James  M'Calmont,  who  departed  this 
life  July  the  2d,  1780,  aged  96  years." 

"Also,  Jane,  his  wife,  who  departed  this  life.  May 
the  4th,  1794,  aged  100  years." 

"  Also  of  Charles,  Elizabeth,  and  Isabella,  their 
children." 

The  other  stone  is  the  memento  of  their  son,  James 
M'Calmont,  of  whom  we  shall  speak  somewhat  at 
lens^th. 

"In  memory  of  James  M'Calmont,  Esqr.,  who  de- 
parted this  life  July  the  19th,  1809,  aged  72  years." 

The  occupant  of  this  tomb  lived  near  Strasburg,  on 
the  farm  now  occupied  by  Mr.  John  Dice.     He  was 


196  CHURCHES   of  the   valley. 

a  Major  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  became  dis- 
tinguished as  a  brave  and  accomplished  soldier. 
When  the  British  had  possession  of  Philadelphia, 
Major  M'Calmont  commanded  a  company  of  Rangers, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  intercept  the  supplies  of  provi- 
sions which  the  Tories  might  be  disposed  to  send  to 
the  city.  Upon  one  occasion,  while  on  duty  in  New 
Jersey,  opposite  the  city,  he  captured  about  a  dozen 
Hessian  soldiers.  Having  no  convenient  way  of 
disposing  of  them,  he  marched  them  to  Strasburg, 
near  which  he  owned  a  large  tract  of  land,  and  in- 
duced them  to  settle  there,  by  presenting  one  with  a 
few  acres  of  land,  another  with  a  tannery,  a  third 
wdth  a  tavern  stand,  and  providing  for  the  residue  in 
a  manner  suitable  to  their  several  capacities. 

During  the  war,  the  inhabitants  of  the  Cumberland 
Valley  were  much  annoyed  by  the  inroads  of  the 
Indians,  who  murdered  the  people,  burned  their 
houses  and  barns,  destroyed  their  crops,  and  com- 
mitted the  usual  atrocities  characteristic  of  savage 
w^arfare.  The  inhabitants  Avere  obliged  to  work  in 
their  fields  after  night,  for  fear  of  being  surprised 
and  murdered  by  their  subtle  foes.  The  farmer 
would  drop  his  corn,  as  he  ran  through  the  fields, 
and  cover  it  with  his  foot,  while  he  held  his  rifle  in 
his  hand,  and  feared  to  stoop,  lest  he  might  be  at- 
tacked by  the  lurking  Indian.  In  this  manner  a 
farmer  would  plant  his  field  in  a  single  night,  as  he 
did  not  pretend  to  raise  more  grain  than  was  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  the  subsistence  of  himself  and 


ROCKY     SPRING     CHURCH.  197 

his  stock,  and  considered  liimself  fortunate  if  he  did 
even  thus  much.  In  the  neighbourhood  of  Strasburg 
and  Roxbury,  the  Indians  were  particularly  trouble- 
some. We  have  been  told  by  an  old  and  highly 
respected  citizen  of  this  vicinity,  that,  on  one  occa- 
sion, the  Indians  captured  a  number  of  persons  in 
the  neighbourhood  of,  and  not  far  from.  Rocky  Spring, 
and  proceeded  with  their  prisoners  towards  Bedford. 
About  the  same  time  another  party  burned  the  fort 
(which  then  stood  near  Bossart's  Mill),  after  shooting 
the  only  man  who  happened  to  be  in  it  at  the  time, 
and  then  followed  in  the  same  direction  taken  by  the 
preceding  gang.  A  company  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  neighbourhood,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Alexander  Culbertson,  went  in  pursuit  of  the  Indians, 
and  overtook  them  near  Sideling  Hill.  A  desperate 
fight  ensued,  in  which  the  company  of  Capt.  C.  was 
defeated,  and  himself  killed.  A  number  of  the  men 
were  made  prisoners,  and  carried  off  by  the  Indians. 
The  stream  known  as  Bloody  Run,  is  said  to  have 
derived  its  name  from  this  battle,  which  is  repre- 
sented to  have  occurred  in  its  vicinity.  We  wish  it 
clearly  understood,  that  we  do  not  give  this  statement 
as  historically  correct ;  but  we  think  it  is  as  plausible 
an  explanation  of  the  naming  of  Bloody  Run,  as  any 
we  have  yet  seen.  A  short  time  before  the  battle,  a 
man,  named  McConnell,  was  ploughing  near  the 
Spring,  and  was  surprised  by  a  couple  of  Indians, 
who  shot  at,  but  fortunately  missed  him,  and  lodged 
a  ball  in  the  handle  of  his  plough.  He  ran  into  a 
17* 


198  CIIUPtCIIES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

house  near  by,  where  the  Indians  did  not  follow  him. 
His  remains  now  rei^ose  in  the  churchyard  at  Rocky 
Sirring.  Ilis  brother,  not  yet  arrived  at  manhood, 
was  taken,  but  managed  to  make  his  escape  at  the 
slaughter  at  Bloody  Run.  There  were  a  number  of 
forts  in  the  neighbourhood,  to  which  the  people  fled 
upon  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  One  stood  at  the 
mill  on  Mr.  Bossart's  farm,  near  the  foot  of  the 
mountain;  another  (called  Reed's  Fort)  on  the  farm 
now  owned  by  William  Etter,  about  one  mile  and  a 
half  from  Rocky  Spring  ;  another  at  Strasburg  ;  and 
a  strong  fortress  stood  on  the  hill,  in  the  town  of 
Shippensburg. 

The  above  remarks  may  appear  to  be  somewhat  of 
a  digression,  but  we  deem  them  essential  to  a  clear 
understanding  of  what  follows,  respecting  the  adven- 
tures of  Major  McCalmont.  This  gentleman  was 
generally  selected  as  the  leader  of  the  parties  sent 
in  pursuit  of  the  savages,  after  the  perpetration  of 
their  numerous  hostile  acts ;  and,  from  his  success  in 
discovering  their  haunts,  and  inflicting  summary  ven- 
geance upon  them  for  their  atrocities,  he  became 
quite  celebrated  as  an  Indian-hunter ;  and  was  con- 
sidered by  the  savages  as  a  daring  and  formidable 
foe.  As  a  bush-fighter  he  vras  quite  equal  to  the 
most  wily  Indian.  One  day  he  met  unexpectedly  a 
tall,  desperate-looking  savage,  while  alone  in  the 
woods,  near  his  residence  at  Strasburg.  Both  hap- 
pening to  see  each  other  simultaneously,  took  to 
trees,  and   each  endeavoured   to  get  a  shot  at    his 


ROCKY    SPRING    CHURCH.  199 

antagonist ;  after  evading  each  other  for  some  time, 
the  savage  incautiously  peeped  from  behind  the  tree, 
and  instantly  received  a  ball  from  the  rifle  of  his 
dexterous  enemy.  Upon  another  occasion,  while 
returning  home  from  Chambersburg,  he  was  pursued 
by  a  party  of  Indians,  who  were  bent  on  securing 
the  scalp  of  their  old  and  hated  enemy.  After 
running  for  a  considerable  distance,  he  darted  into  a 
barn  which  stood  near  by,  and  escaped  out  of  the 
other  side,  and  secreted  himself  in  a  thicket,  unob- 
served by  his  pursuers.  The  savages  supposing  he 
was  yet  in  the  barn,  set  it  on  fire,  and  stood  around 
it,  yelling  in  exultation  at  their  supposed  success  in 
capturing  their  foe.  When  they  discovered  that 
they  were  bafllcd,  they  commenced  the  search  after 
the  Major,  and  soon  found  his  trail,  and  again  joined 
hotly  in  the  pursuit.  The  Major  was  remarkable 
for  his  swiftness  of  foot,  and  succeeded  in  outrunning 
the  Indians,  who  pursued  him  to  the  fort  at  Ship- 
pensburg.  They  often  chased  him  to  this  fort,  we 
are  told ;  and,  on  several  occasions,  he  selected  men 
from  the  garrison,  and,  in  turn,  pursued  the  Indians, 
and  avenged  himself  by  returning  with  their  scalps. 
During  the  war,  he  was  working  one  day  in  the  field 
with  several  other  persons,  at  harvest-time.  The 
guns  of  the  party  were  in  a  distant  part  of  the  field. 
A  gang  of  several  prowling  savages  suddenly  sprang 
from  the  thicket,  and  one,  more  bold  than  the  rest, 
ran  for  the  guns.  McCalmont  also  started  oflf  on  the 
same  errand ;  and,  although  the  Indian  had  the  ad- 


200  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

vantage  of  the  ground,  reached  the  guns  first,  one  of 
which  he  snatched  from  the  stack,  and  with  it  shot 
the  savage  dead.  The  settlers  coming  up  soon  after 
the  Major,  the  Indians  retreated.  He  was  considered 
bj  the  Indians  as  quite  as  swift  a  runner  as  they, 
and  fully  equal  to  themselves  in  all  the  wiles  and 
strategy  of  their  peculiar  warfare.  In  consequence 
of  his  extraordinary  fleetness  and  agility,  they  be- 
stowed on  him  the  appellation  of  ''  Supple  McCal- 
mont."  On  the  southwestern  side  of  the  town  of 
Strasburg,  there  is  a  cave,  called  "McCalmont's 
Cave,"  in  which  he  was  accustomed  to  hide,  when 
closely  pursued  by  the  Indians.  It  was  in  the  midst 
of  a  thicket,  and  so  covered  by  thick  vines  and 
bushes,  that  it  afforded  an  admirable  retreat  in  times 
of  danger. 

The  Major  was  a  tall,  muscular  man,  of  modest 
and  unpretending  manners.  In  private  life,  his  quiet, 
diffident  deportment  gave  no  indication  of  the  daunt- 
less spirit  of  the  man,  of  which  he  presented  so  many 
evidences  in  his  encounters  with  the  Indians,  as  well 
as  with  the  British  army  during  his  campaign  under 
General  Washington.  After  the  conclusion  of  the 
war,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  Associate  Judges 
of  Franklin  County,  soon  after  its  formation.  He 
died  at  Strasburg  in  1809. 

Near  the  fence,  in  the  western  end  of  the  yard,  is 
a  tomb,  formed  in  the  usual  square,  or  rather  oblong 
shape,  with  a  brick  wall  and  marble  slab,  which  is 
nearly  blackened  by  age  and  exposure.     The  wall  is 


ROCKY    SPRING    CHURCH.  201 

falling  away,  and  the  bricks  arc  scattered  about  the 
tomb,  which  was  formerly  surrounded  by  a  paling 
fence ;  a  few  posts  of  which,  with  two  or  three  decay- 
ing rails,  yet  remain.  On  the  stone  is  the  simple, 
modest  inscription  : 

"Joseph  Armstrong;  born  1739,  and  died  29th 
Augt.,  1811." 

The  tenant  of  this  tomb  lived  on  Mr.  Wise's  place, 
near  the  mountain.  During  the  llevolution  he  was 
a  major  in  the  Pennsylvania  militia. 

In  the  eastern  end  of  the  enclosure,  we  find  two 
graves,  which  strike  the  eye  on  account  of  their 
ancient  appearance,  which  results  rather  from  the 
gray  colour  of  the  stones,  than  any  peculiarity  in  the 
wording  or  carving  on  them.  The  inscription  on  one 
of  them  reads  thus  : 

"  In  memory  of  Mary  Machen,  who  departed  this 
life  August  2d,  1803,  aged  75  years." 

Close  beside  this  gravestone  is  the  other,  which  we 
are  told  is 

"  In  memory  of  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Machen, 
died  24th  September,  1804,  aged  54  years." 

In  the  extreme  southwestern  corner  of  the  burial- 
ground,  beneath  the  poplar  trees,  are  a  number  of 
pieces  which  form  a  very  beautiful  monument.  They 
are  scattered  about  in  confusion  over  the  ground ;  and 
some  of  the  handsome  slabs  were  so  covered  with  clay, 
that  it  was  difficult  to  read  the  engraving  which  they 
contained.  The  sides  of  the  tomb,  and  many  of  the 
columns  were  deeply  sunk  into  the  ground,  in  conse- 


202  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

qucnce  of  having  lain  there  for  so  many  years.  There 
are  more  than  a  dozen  of  pieces,  many  of  "which  are 
now  partially  injured  by  carelessness,  and  the  confused 
manner  in  which  they  are  strewn  over  the  ground. 
Some  pieces  lean  against  the  trees,  and  others  are  so 
much  covered  by  grass  as  to  be  hidden  from  view. 
The  side  stones  arc  handsomely  made  in  the  form  of 
panel-work,  and  the  columns  arc  beautifully  fluted. 
They  are  all  of  fine,  white  marble,  which,  however,  is 
now  blackened  by  exposure  to  the  elements,  for  more 
than  half  a  century.  The  whole  monument  was  a 
beautiful  structure,  much  handsomer  we  presume  than 
any  now  there.  We  are  told  that  these  pieces  were 
brought  to  the  graveyard,  from  Philadelphia^  more 
than  fifty  years  ago;  but  owing  to  some  cause,  with 
which  our  informant  is  unacquainted,  they  were  never 
erected  into  a  tomb,  but  have  remained  as  separate 
pieces  ever  since.  After  cleaning  the  letters  of  the 
topmost  slab,  we  have  copied  the  inscription  and  the 
verses  accompanying  it,  without  any  alteration  as  re- 
gards arrangement  and  punctuation. 

*^  Jane  Cooper,  was  born,  1st  of  July,  1768,  and 
(J.  N.)  died,  on  the  20th  evening  of  June,  1796. 

"Jane  Nicholson's  respected  dust,  now  here, 
Once  liv'd  esteem'd,  and  shar'd  health's  warmest  cheer 
Her  life  seem'd  fix'd,  as  but  with  age  to  cease 
Till  fated  accident  produced  disease 
Young,  wise  and  good  !  she  was  her  children's  guide 
Bliss  to  her  partner,  joy  to  all  alli'd. 


ROCKY    SPRING    CnURCII.  2Q6 

••From  tender  youth,  sh'  obey'd,  with  love  and  awe 
Reasons,  religion,  and  her  parents,  law ; 
So  grew,  her  dignifying  strength  of  mind  ; 
Tho'  firm,  yet  soft,  and  happily  refin'd 
No  affectation,  pride,  or  passion,  stain'd 
Nor  harbour'd  ills  her  candid  breast  prophan'd. 

••Her  face  expressive,  spoke  each  thought  sincere 
Truth  and  its  friends,  to  her,  were  ever  dear. 
Eager  she  priz'd  each  social,  virtuous  joy  ; 
But  prudent  shunn'd  the  haunts,  which  peace  destroy. 

•*  For  other's  woes,  her  keenest  sorrows  flow'd 
Or  for  th'  impious  wandering  from  their  God 
Is  she  perhaps,  your  guardian  Angel,  still  ? 
0  children  I  live  as  would  obey  her  will, 
So  shall  you  join  her  on  that  happy  shore 
Where  death  or  grief,  will  visit  you  no  more." 

On  one  of  the  side  pieces  of  the  monument,  which 
had  sunk  deeply  into  the  earth,  and  which  was  re- 
moved with  difficulty  from  its  bed,  we  read  as  follows : 

"  William  Cooper  Nicholson  died  on  the  16th  morn- 
ing of  April,  1798. — Before  the  end  of  his  third  year." 

On  the  other  side  piece  we  find  the  following 
verses : 

"Oh I  when  will  spring  visit  the  mould'ring  urn 
And  celestial  dawn  bless  the  night  of  the  Grave  ? 
Blest  Angels  rejoicing,  will  all  hail  the  great  Morn, 
When  Saints  bright  descending,  their  bodies  receive." 

A  few  feet  from  the  above,  are  three  square  tombs, 
with  walls  of  hewn  limestone,  and  slabs  of  white  mar- 


204  CHURCHES   of   the   valley. 

ble,  which  are  erected  over  the  remains  of  the  departed 
members  of  the  Wilson  family.  Upon  one  are  the 
names  of  John  Wilson,  Sr.,  who  died  in  1826 — aged 
76  years;  and  Sarah,  consort  of  John  Wilson,  who 
died  in  July,  1848,  at  the  advanced  age  of  96  years. 
The  one  next  to  this  is  dedicated  to  the  memory  of 
John  Wilson,  Jr.,  who  died  in  1818,  aged  27  years. 
Upon  the  third  is  the  name  of  Alexander  Wilson,  who 
died  on  the  24th  September,  1828,  aged  24  years ;  it 
also  contains  the  name  of  James  Wilson,  who  died  in 
July,  1847,  aged  56  years.  Upon  these  monuments 
are  several  verses  of  poetry,  w^hich  we  will  not  copy, 
on  account  of  their  length.  To  the  right  of  these  and 
somewhat  nearer  the  lower  fence,  are  two  handsome 
marble  monuments,  erected  over  the  remains  of  the 
McClellan  family,  from  which  we  copy  the  names  of 
those  who  sleep  beneath  them ;  omitting  also  several 
verses,  for  the  reason  given  above.  Upon  the  first  is 
the  name  of  George  McClellan,  Esq.,  who  departed 
this  life  July  15th,  1823,  in  the  62d  year  of  his  age. 
The  next  is  dedicated  to  the  memory  of  Lydia  McClel- 
lan, who  died  in  1840,  aged  68  years.  In  the  rear 
of  the  McClellans  are  the  graves  of  David  McKinney, 
who  died  in  1835,  aged  68  years  :  and  Eleanor  McKin- 
ney, whose  death  occurred  in  1825,  in  her  53d  year. 
Near  the  spot  where  repose  the  ashes  of  the  McKin- 
neys,  are  two  plain  marble  stones,  which  are  erected  in 
commemoration  of  Grizida,  consort  of  Robert  McCon- 
nel,  who  died  in  1832,  in  the  36th  year  of  her  age; 
and  of  Captain  John  McConnel,  who  died  in  August, 


ROCKY     SPRING    CHURCH.  205 

1810,  aged  73  years.  At  the  distance  of  a  few  rods, 
towards  the  northern  end  of  the  yard,  are  a  numher 
of  neat  tombstones  whicli  mark  the  hist  resting-place 
of  several  members  of  the  Davis  family.  Mr.  Davis 
died  in  October,  1823,  in  his  G2d  year.  Sarah,  wife 
of  William  Davis,  died  in  1825,  aged  61  years.  Close 
by  is  the  tomb  of  Col.  Stephen  Wilson,  who  died  in 
1823,  aged  40  years.  Near  this  point  are  three  beau- 
tiful marble  tombstones  which  indicate  the  place  where 
repose  the  Grier  family.  The  deceased  are  Thomas 
Grier,  whose  death  occurred  in  1818,  in  his  17th  year ; 
Margaret  Grier,  who  departed  this  life  in  1822,  in  the 
20th  year  of  her  age ;  and  Michael  Grier,  who  died 
in  1814,  aged  eleven  years.  Near  by  is  the  tomb  of 
John  Durborow,  whose  decease  occurred  in  1825, 
when  he  was  sixteen  years  old.  In  the  southern  part 
of  the  yard,  near  the  monuments  of  the  Wilsons,  is 
an  old  grave,  covered  over  with  thyme,  and  marked 
by  a  headstone  of  gray-coloured  sandstone,  upon 
which  is  carved,  in  very  old-fashioned,  rude  charac- 
ters, the  following  inscription. 

''  Here  lies  the  body  of  John  Wade,  who  departed 
this  life,  January  17th,  A.  D.  1799,  aged  80  years." 

On  the  footstone,  in  the  same  style,  is  chiselled  the 
following  exhortation : 

"  Remember,  man,  as  you  pass  by,  as  you  are  now 
so  once  was  I ;  as  I  am  now  so  must  you  be ;  remember, 
man,  that  thou  must  die." 

Close  by  the  above  is  another  stone,  of  the  same 
kind,  upon  which  we  decipher  the  following  words, 

18 


206  CHURCHES     OF     THE    VALLEY. 

with  some  difficulty,  owing  to  the  rough  manner  in 
which  they  are  cut. 

"Here  lyes  the  body  of  McDonell  McConnell  who 
departed  this  life,  July  29,-1776,  75  years." 

The  next  grave  is  the  resting-place  of  Rosannah 
McConnell.  Upon  the  gray  sandstone,  at  the  head 
of  her  grave,  we  are  told  that 

"  Here  lyes  the  body  of  Rosannah  McConnell,  wife 
of  Robert  McConnell,  who  departed  this  life — 1770." 

The  stone  is  broken  into  two  pieces,  and  part  of 
the  inscription  remains  below  the  ground,  and  cannot 
be  read. 

In  the  northwestern  portion  of  the  yard,  are  two 
white  stones,  which  are  placed  at  the  graves  of  Mary 
Jane  and  Samuel,  son  and  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Elizabeth  Culbertson,  who  died  at  early  ages  in  the 
years  1815  and  1816. 

Near  the  centre  of  the  yard  are  two  monuments, 
which  we  will  next  describe.  The  first  is  composed  of 
a  marble  slab  which  rests  upon  a  brick  wall,  part  of 
which  has  sunk  into  the  ground,  and  the  whole  of 
which  appears  to  be  in  a  decaying  condition.  On  the 
slab  we  are  informed  that  it  was  erected 

"  In  memory  of  Hugh  Beard,  who  departed  this 
life,  December  3d,  1771,  aged  14  years  ;  also  Sarah 
Beard  who  departed  this  life,  March  16th,  1794,  aged 
20  years." 

Adjoining  this  tomb  stands  one  which  was  origi- 
nally much  handsomer,  but  is  now  much  impaired  by 
time.     The  sides  are  formed  of  broad  stones,  of  a  yel- 


ROCKY    SPRING    CHURCH.  207 

lowisli  colour,  fastened  at  the  angles  by  iron  clasps, 
and  supporting  a  slab,  which  is  moved  partly  from  its 
position,  on  which  we  find  the  following  inscription : 

"  In  memory  of  Martha  Beard,  wife  of  John  Beard, 
Junr.,  who  departed  this  life,  December  17th,  1795, 
aged  40  years  ;  also  Agnes  Beard,  mother  of  the  above, 
departed  this  life,  Feb.  20th,  1810,  aged  80  years." 

Beside  these  two  graves  is  another,  marked  by  a 
head  and  foot  of  blue  slate,  which  was  erected 

"  In  memory  of  Jane  Jamison,  daughter  of  John 
and  Agnes  Baird,  Senr's,  departed  this  life,  December 
9th,  1799,  aged  24  years." 

Around  these  graves  a  paling  fence  once  stood. 
This  has  now  partially  fallen  down,  and  parts  of  it 
lie  scattered  about  the  tomb.  Two  sides  yet  remain, 
which  meet  at  a  right  angle.  The  whole  appearance 
of  the  fence  and  graves,  indicates  exposure  to  the  de- 
stroying hand  of  time  for  many  years.  In  the  south- 
eastern portion  of  the  yard  are  two  substantial  lime- 
stone tombs,  supporting  marble  slabs,  one  of  which  is 
dedicated  to  the  memory  of  "  Mrs.  Mary  Culbertson, 
consort  of  Joseph  Culbertson,  and  daughter  of  James 
Finley,  Esq.,"  who  died  in  1817.  The  other  "is 
dedicated  to  the  memory  of  James  Finley,  Esq.,  and 
Jane  his  wife.  James  died  the  27th  day  of  Septem- 
ber, 1812,  in  the  73d  year  of  his  age.  Jane  departed 
this  life  on  the  21st  of  July,  1814,  aged  69  years." 
Not  far  from  this  is  a  grave,  thickly  covered  with 
thyme,  and  marked  by  a  couple  of  rough  limestones,  on 
one  of  which  we  read,  ''  G.  Vance,  1793."     Near  this. 


208  CHUKCHES     OF    THE    VALLEY. 

are  three  other  graves,  similar  in  appearance,  all  co- 
vered with  thyme  and  marked  by  pieces  of  limestone, 
upon  the  respective  headstones  of  which,  the  following 
initials  are  rudely  chiselled : 

"P  X  L 
N  X  L 
'M  X  L." 
A  few  paces  from  these  is  a  marble  stone,  which  is 
erected, 

"  In  memory  of  Mary,  the  wife  of  James  Gibson, 
who  departed  this  life,  April  25th,  17 — ,  in  the  71  year 
of  her  age. 

"xill  you  tliat  come  my  grave  to  see 
Prepare  for  Death  and  follow  me 
Prepare  for  Death  make  no  delay 
For  suddenly  I  was  snatched  away." 

We  copy  the  above  just  as  we  find  it.  It  will  be 
perceived  that  the  year  of  her  death  is  not  given. 

There  are  many  other  graves  in  the  yard,  a  descrip- 
tion of  which  would  be  tedious  to  the  reader,  and  re- 
quire more  space  than  we  can  appropriate  to  it.  We 
have  given  those  which  are  the  most  prominent,  and 
strike  the  visitor  as  interesting,  either  on  account  of 
their  venerable  appearance,  or  the  quaintness  of  the 
inscriptions  Avhich  they  bear.  Those  about  which  we 
shall  say  nothing,  are  of  recent  date  ;  and  differ  in 
no  respect  from  those  seen  in  any  modern  church- 
yard.    We  may  also  state  that  the  inscriptions  which 


ROCKY    SPRING     CHURCH.  209 

we  have  given  above,  are  copied  from  the  stones  with- 
out any  alteration  in  regard  to  spelling. 

Of  the  early  history  of  the  Congregation  of  Rocky 
Spring,  we  know  little.  We  do  not  know  precisely 
how  many  years  have  elapsed  since  it  was  organized, 
but  we  do  know  that  divine  services  were  held  in  the 
old  church,  one  hundred  and  nine  years  ago.  In  the 
yeoT  1742,  we  learn  from  the  minute-book  of  the  Ses- 
sion of  the  Middle  Spring  Church,  near  Shippensburg, 
that  a  meeting  was  held  by  the  congregation,  for  the 
purpose  of  making  some  arrangement  in  relation  to 
the  distribution  of  the  pastoral  labours  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Blair,  who,  it  appears,  was  the  minister  of  the  Middle 
Spring,  Big  Spring,  and  Rocky  Spring  congregations. 
It  was  then  determined  that  the  reverend  gentleman 
should  preach  on  every  third  Sabbath,  at  each  of  these 
places,  alternately.  These  congregations  were  esta- 
blished about  the  same  time,  by  the  Donegal  Pres- 
bytery, in  Lancaster  County,  in  this  State.  The 
Presbytery  was  accustomed  to  send  out  missionaries 
to  preach  for  the  different  churches,  in  their  infancy, 
before  they  were  large  enough  to  support  a  settled 
minister.  This  appears  to  have  been  the  manner  in 
which  the  church  at  Rock}^  Spring  was  supplied,  for 
some  years  after  its  establishment. 

At  the  time  the  old  church  was  built,  the  land  upon 
which  it  stood  belonged  to  the  government,  and  had 
never  been  surveyed  by  the  congregation.  When  the 
present  building  was  about  being  erected,  a  w^arrant 
was  taken  out  by  the  Trustees,  and  the  land  occupied 

18- 


210      CUURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

by  the  congregation  was  then,  for  the  first  time,  sur- 
veyed. The  following  is  a  transcript  of  the  original 
warrant,  copied  from  the  official  draught  filed  in  the 
office  of  the  Deputy  Surveyor,  and  politely  handed 
to  us  by  Samuel  M.  Armstrong,  Esq.  "  Warrant 
for  5  acres,  granted  to  George  Matthews,  Esq.,  James 
M'Calmont,  Esq.,  James  Ferguson,  Esq.,  Joseph 
Culbertson,  Esq.,  and  Samuel  Culbertson,  Trustees 
for  the  congregation  including  the  Rocky  Spring 
Church.— November  6th,  1792."  A  draught  of  the 
land  is  attached  to  the  above,  which,  of  course,  we 
cannot  transfer  to  paper,  without  unnecessary  labour 
and  expense. 

We  shall  now  speak  of  the  several  ministers  who 
have  officiated  at  Rocky  Spring  as  its  regularly  or- 
dained pastors.  The  period  embraced  by  the  labours 
of  these  gentlemen,  is  about  eighty-three  years. 

The  first  regular  minister  of  the  church,  was  the 
Rev.  John  Craighead,  of  whom  we  have  already 
spoken.  Mr.  C.  was  the  son  of  Mr.  John  Craighead, 
who  settled  at  an  early  date  on  Yellow  Breeches 
Creek,  near  Carlisle,  and  who  was  a  cousin  of  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Craighead,  pastor  of  Big  Spring.  He 
received  his  education  at  Princeton  College,  of  which 
Institution  he  was  a  graduate.  He  was  installed  as 
pastor  at  Rocky  Spring,  in  1768,  but  we  presume  he 
had  been  accustomed  to  preach  there  before  that  time. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  as 
previously  stated,  he  raised  a  company  from  the  mem- 
bers of  his  charge,  and  joined  the  army  of  General 


ROCKY    SPRING     CHURCH.  211 

Washington,  in  New  Jersey.  Of  his  valour  there  can 
be  no  question;  "  He  fought  and  preached  alternately," 
says  a  friend,  in  noticing  his  character,  "  breasted  all 
danger,  relying  on  his  God  and  the  justice  of  his 
cause  for  protection." 

His  company  was  present  at  the  battle  on  Long 
Island,  and  acquitted  themselves  with  much  gallan- 
try. Mr.  C.  was  also  with  the  army,  when  Fort  Wash- 
ington was  evacuated,  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
British.  His  friend,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cooper,  for  many 
years  pastor  of  the  Middle  Spring  Church,  was  also 
present  on  this  occasion,  and  was,  we  believe,  also 
captain  of  a  company.  He  and  Mr.  C.  were  very 
intimate,  and  were  in  the  same  mess,  as  they  were 
congenial  spirits.  Mr.  Craighead  was  somewhat 
celebrated  as  a  humourist,  and  many  good  jokes  arc 
told  of  him  by  many  aged  persons,  by  whom  he  is 
well  remembered.  One  day,  it  is  said,  going  into 
battle,  a  cannon-ball  struck  a  tree  near  him,  a 
splinter  of  which  nearly  knocked  him  down.  "  God 
bless  me!"  exclaimed  Mr.  Cooper,  "you  were  nearl}'' 
knocked  to  staves."  "  Oh  yes,"  was  his  reply,  "and 
though  you  are  a  Cooper^  you  could  not  have  set  mc 
up." 

Mr.  Craighead  was  a  tall,  handsome  man,  with 
dark  chestnut-coloured  hair,  and  possessed  a  strong, 
clear,  and  musical  voice.  His  disposition  was  mild, 
aifable,  and  peculiarly  winning  ;  which,  together  with 
his  agreeable  social  qualities,  rare  conversational 
powers,  and  fine  humour,  made  him  the  favourite  of 


212  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

all  who  chanced  to  know  him  ;  and  from  his  promi- 
nent position,  there  were  few  persons  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood who  did  not  know  him.  His  ministry  was 
at  one  time  interrupted  for  a  few  months,  by  mental 
alienation,  and  we  are  told  by  intelligent  persons,  that, 
after  his  recovery,  his  zeal  and  efforts  in  the  cause 
of  his  divine  Master,  as  well  as  his  strong  intellect, 
seemed  to  have  been  greatly  increased  in  energy  by 
his  temporary  insanity.  His  sermons  were  well  pre- 
pared, forcible,  and  persuasive ;  and  were  delivered 
with  a  power  and  eloquence  peculiarly  his  own.  His 
public  as  well  as  his  private  life,  was  pure  and  un- 
exceptionable. He  lived  on  the  farm  recently  occu- 
pied by  Mr.  Byers,  which  is  a  couple  of  miles  from 
the  church.  In  1799,  the  year  in  which  his  pastoral 
relation  had  been  dissolved,  this  good  man  gave  up 
his  spirit  to  his  Creator,  and  entered  upon  the  reward 
which,  through  divine  grace,  his  long  life  zealously 
spent  in  the  cause  of  Religion,  so  well  prepared  him 
to  enjoy. 

After  the  existence  of  a  vacancy  in  the  congrega- 
tion for  about  one  year, — Mr.  Francis  Herron,  now 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Herron,  was  elected  to  preside  over  the 
spiritual  interests  of  the  flock.  He  was  ordained 
and  installed  April  9th,  1800,  on  which  occasion  "  Dr. 
King  preached  a  sermon  from  Matt.  v.  14,  and  Mr. 
Linn  presided,  and  gave  a  charge."  Dr.  H.  con- 
tinued faithfully  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  station 
for  about  ten  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he 
was  chosen  the  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 


ROCKY    SPRING    CHURCH.  213 

in  the  city  of  Pittsburg.  lie  continued  to  fill  this 
station,  -with  great  credit  to  himself  and  benefit  to  his 
people,  until  about  one  year  since,  'when,  in  conse- 
quence of  advanced  age,  he  resigned  the  charge,  after 
having  carefully  watched  over  its  -welfare  for  about 
forty  years.  Dr.  Ilerron's  ministerial  connexion 
with  the  Church  at  Rocky  Spring  was  eminently 
successful,  and  through  his  zealous  efforts,  he  added 
many  converts  to  its  numbers.  Dr.  H.  ranks  among 
the  first  ministers  in  the  Church,  as  a  pious  and 
faithful  shepherd,  an  accomplished  scholar,  an  able 
and  convincing  preacher,  and  above  all,  as  an 
humble  and  conscientious  follower  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

When  Dr.  Herron  resigned  his  place  at  Rocky 
Spring,  it  was  supplied  by  the  Rev.  John  M'Knight, 
D.D.,  who  ministered  to  the  people  for  several 
years.  The  relation  existing  between  him  and  the 
congregation  was  interrupted  by  an  invitation  to 
preside  over  Dickinson  College,  when  the  presi- 
dency of  that  Institution  was  made  vacant  by  the 
death  of  its  incumbent.  The  Doctor  was  well 
known  to  our  older  citizens,  as  he  resided  in  Cham- 
bersburg ;  and  for  us  to  speak  of  his  many  vir- 
tues, his  talents,  his  fervour  in  discharging  the  du- 
ties of  his  divine  mission,  would  be  a.  work  of  superero- 
gation. He  lived  a  useful  and  holy  life,  and  at  an 
advanced  age  was  called  to  his  reward.  Ilis  death 
occurred  in  1823,  and  his  ashes  now  repose  beneath 
a  handsome  monument  in  the  lovely  cemetery  at- 


214  CIIURCPIES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

tached  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Chambers- 
burg. 

The  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  removal  of  Dr. 
M'K.,  was  supplied  by  his  son,  the  Kev.  Dr.  John 
M'Knight,  for  many  years  a  resident  of  our  town. 
The  labours  of  this  gentleman  were  abundantly  suc- 
cessful :  and  all  the  members  of  the  church  yet  living, 
will  testify  to  the  able  and  affectionate  manner  in 
which  he  discharged  the  duty  imposed  upon  him. 
Mr.  M'K.,  after  preaching  at  Rocky  Spring  for 
several  years,  removed  to  Pliiladclphia,  where  he  is 
yet  engaged  in  the  ministry,  in  connexion  with  the 
New  School  Presbyterian  Church.  His  successor  is 
the  Rev.  A.  K.  Nelson.  Mr.  N.  accepted  the  call 
from  "  Campbellstown  and  Rocky  Spring,"  in  1840, 
with  the  understanding  that  the  half  of  his  time  was 
to  be  given  to  each  of  these  congregations  ;  but  he 
has,  for  some  years,  at  least,  been  preaching  also  occa- 
sionally on  the  Sabbath  at  Strasburg,  where  many  of 
his  charge  reside. — These  are  all  the  ministers,  who 
have  been  regularly  ordained  to  preach  in  this  ancient 
temple  of  the  Lord. 

In  latter  days  the  congregation  is  gradually  de- 
creasing, and  seems  to  be  in  a  fair  Avay  soon  to  become 
entirely  extinct.  We  learn  this  fact  with  much  regret, 
and  feel  pained  that  the  hallowed  spot,  around  which  so 
many  endearing  recollections  cling,  should  cease  to 
occupy  a  place  among  churches,  or  at  least,  should 
fall  into  other  hands  than  those  of  the  same  denomi- 
nation, who  worshipped  in  it  for  more  tlian  a  century. 


ROCKY    SPRING     CHURCH.  Zl5 

At  the  time  of  its  erection,  it  was  attended  by  a  few 
of  the  early  settlers  only,  some  of  whom  had  come 
from  the  mother  country  to  seek  a  home  in  the  new 
world,  where  they  might  enjoy,  unmolested,  their 
cherished  religious  opinions.  As  the  country  became 
more  thickly  settled,  the  congregation  also  became 
large,  and  occupied  an  important  position  among  the 
churches  in  the  Cumberland  A^alley.  People  resorted 
to  Rocky  Spring,  from  Loudon,  Mercersburg,  Green- 
castle,  Chambersburg,  Culbertson's  Row,  Greenvil- 
lage,  Roxbury,  Orrstown,  Strasburg,  and  from  the 
whole  valley  along  the  mountain  foot,  extending  nearly 
to  Shippensburg.  When  there  chanced  to  be  no 
preaching  at  Middle  Spring,  the  people  of  that  con- 
gregation were  accustomed  to  worship  here. 

But  the  original  settlers  have  long  since  died,  and 
their  descendants,  to  a  considerable  extent,  have 
moved  to  other  regions  ;  and  persons  from  other  places 
(particularly  Germans)  have  taken  their  places. 
These,  generally,  belong  to  other  denominations,  and 
have  deserted  this  ancient  temple  of  the  Most  High. 
Then,  again,  other  churches  have  sprung  up  in  the 
neighbouring  towns,  and  many  of  those  who  formerly 
attended  at  Rocky  Spring,  can  now  enter  the  sanc- 
tuary nearer  their  homes,  without  the  inconvenience 
of  riding  several  miles,  as  was  formerly  necessary. 
All  these  circumstances  have  conspired  to  diminish 
the  congregation,  and  its  doom  seems  inevitable. 
Services,  we  are  told,  are  only  held  about  once 
in  four  weeks,   and  we  very  much  fear,  that  before 


21G  CHURCHES   of   the   valley. 

very   long,    the   interval   will   be    indefinitely    pro- 
longed. 

Patriotism  has  ever  been  a  predominant  feature  in 
the  character  of  the  Presbyterians  in  the  Cumberland 
Valley.  It  pervaded  especially  the  old  congregation 
of  Rocky  Spring  ;  and  when  their  bleeding  country 
called  for  the  services  of  her  sons,  none  were  more 
ready  than  they  to  respond  to  the  call,  and  freely 
offer  themselves,  if  need  be,  upon  the  altars  of  Free- 
dom. Many  of  the  people,  as  we  have  shown, 
marched  with  their  minister  ;  others  had  participated 
in  the  war  previously,  some  of  whom  sealed  their  de- 
votion to  their  country  with  their  lives,  on  the  battle- 
field. In  1774,  a  meeting  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  was  convened  at  Carlisle,  in  Cumberland 
County,  of  which  our  county  then  formed  a  part,  and 
passed  a  series  of  patriotic  resolutions,  expressing 
their  sympathy  with  the  cause  of  oppressed  America  ; 
and  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  declaring  their 
willingness  to  participate  in  the  dangers  of  the  strug- 
gle, whenever  the  government  might  demand  their  ser- 
vices. Considering  the  near  connexion  existing  be- 
tween the  inhabitants  of  the  two  counties  at  that 
period,  and  the  fact  that  the  assembly  was  formed  by 
the  Presbyterians  of  the  Cumberland  Valley,  it  will 
readily  be  conceived  that  our  churches  acted  a  pro- 
minent part  in  making  these  patriotic  declarations. 
Patriotism  then  pervaded  all  classes,  from  the  minister 
down  to  the  humblest  member  of  his  flock,  and  was 
something  more  than  that  wild,  roving  spirit   of  ad- 


ROCKY     SPllINCx     CTIURCII.  217 

venture,  ^vliich  so  often  prompts  men,  particularly  in 
these  latter  clays),  to  engage  in  warfare  ;  it  was  a 
higher  and  nobler  feeling — a  principle  of  resistance 
to  oppression,  and  a  firm,  unconquerable  desire  to 
establish  the  liberty  of  America,  and  secondarily,  that 
of  the  whole  world. 

We  may  here  also  add,  that  this  steadfast  and 
self-sacrijficing  devotion  to  their  country,  was  emi- 
nently characteristic  of  the  Presbyterian  ministry 
and  membership,  as  a  body,  throughout  the  land, 
during  the  Revolution. 

"That  man,"  it  has  been  remarked,  with  truthful- 
ness that  history  attests, '■''  "  will  go  on  a  desperate 
adventure,  who  shall  proceed  to  hunt  out  the  Presby- 
terian tories  of  that  day.  Our  ministers  were  "Whigs, 
patriots,  haters  of  tyranny,  known  abettors  of  the 
very  earliest  resistance,  and  often  soldiers  in  the 
field.  It  was  not  they,  nor  any  of  them,  who  acted 
as  guides  for  invading  generals,  or  who  wrote  pas- 
quinades for  New  York  Journals,  or  who  insulted 
"Washington  by  scurrile  letters.  On  these  points  we 
ask  no  better  task  than  that  of  printing  a  few  docu- 
ments, when  the  truths  suggested  shall  be  denied. 
The  name  of  a  Presbyterian  "Whig  stank  in  the  nos- 
trils of  truckling  courtiers,  renegade  Scots,  and  non- 
juring  semi-papists,  as  much  in  the  Colonies  as  at 
home  ;  and  the  revolutionary  struggle  was  carried  on, 

*  Review  of  "Davidson's  Px"esbyterian  Church  in  Kentucky," 
Princeton  Repertory,  October,  1847. 
19 


218      CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

in  a  large  part  of  the  Middle  and  Southern  States, 
by  the  sinew,  sweat,  and  blood,  of  Presbyterians." 

We  have  thus,  hurriedly,  given  a  general  sketch  of 
the  venerable  and  romantic  spot  long  known  as  Rocky 
Spring.  The  neglected  condition,  and  general  decay- 
ing appearance  of  the  church,  portend  a  speedy  ruin. 
A  few  short  years  will  only  have  elapsed,  before  the 
stranger  will  stand  by  the  tottering  walls  on  the 
hilltop,  and  sadly  meditate  upon  the  past  history  of 
the  sacred  pile.  Then  the  descendants  of  the  old 
congregation  will  have  gone,  and  no  one  will  be  able 
to  recount  the  many  stirring  events  connected  with 
it  in  former  years,  or  reverentially  commemorate  its 
departing  glory. 


219 


CHAPTER  XI. 


PATH    VALLEY    CHURCHES. 


At  an  early  day  in  the  history  of  Pennsylvania, 
the  people  were  forbidden  by  laws,  "  repeatedly  sig- 
nified by  proclamations,"  to  take  possession  of  the 
lands  beyond  the  Kittochtinny  Mountains,  not  pur- 
chased of  the  Indians.  This  prohibition  was  grounded 
in  a  fear,  on  the  part  of  the  existing  authorities,  that 
if  such  a  course  should  be  pursued,  "  a  breach  might 
ensue  between  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians  and  this 
Province."  Notwithstanding  this  precautionary  enact- 
ment, however,  the  wave  of  emigration  soon  rolled 
beyond  the  limit  designated  for  the  residence  of  the 
daring  pioneers.  Neither  the  prospect  of  peril,  nor 
the  apprehension  of  the  privations  and  toils  incident 
to  a  settlement  in  the  wilderness,  could  repress  the 
adventurous  spirit  which  swelled  their  bosoms,  or 
restrain  them  from  the  occupancy  of  the  vast  and 
inviting  tracts  of  land,  which  spread  out  beyond  the 
Blue  Mountains. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter,  dated  July  2d, 


220    CHURCHES  of  the  valley. 

1750,  from  Richard  Peters,  who  had  received  orders 
from  Governor  Hamilton,  to  give  information  to  the 
proper  magistrates,  against  all  such  as  had  presumed 
to  violate  the  law  which  he  had  published  by  procla- 
mation, and  to  bring  them  to  a  legal  conviction,  will 
shed  some  light  upon  this  subject,  in  regard  to  Path 
Valley : 

^'  On  "Wednesday,  the  30th  of  May,  the  magistrates 
and  company,  being  detained  two  days  by  rain,  pro- 
ceeded over  the  Kittochtinny  Mountains,  and  entered 
into  the  Tuscara  Path,  or  Path  Valley,  through  which 
the  road  to  Alleghany  lies.  Many  settlements  were 
formed  in  this  valley,  and  all  the  people  were  sent 
for,  and  the  following  persons  appeared,  viz. :  Abra- 
ham Slack,  James  Blair,  Moses  Moore,  Arthur  Dun- 
lap,  Alexander  Mc  Car  tie,  Felix  Doyle,  Andrew  Dun- 
lap,  Robert  Wilson,  Jacob  Pyatt,  Jacob  Pyatt,  Jr., 
William  Ramage,  Reynold  Alexander,  Samuel  Pat- 
terson, Robert  Baker,  John  Armstrong,  and  John 
Potts,  who  were  all  convicted  by  their  own  confession 
to  the  magistrates,  of  the  like  trespasses  with  those 
at  Shearman's  Creek,  and  were  bound  in  the  like 
recognizances  to  appear  at  court,  and  bonds  to  the 
proprietaries,  to  remove  with  all  their  families,  ser- 
vants, cattle,  and  effects,  and  having  all  voluntarily 
given  possession  of  their  houses  to  me,  some  ordinary 
log  houses,  to  the  number  of  eleven,  were  burnt  to 
the  ground ;  the  trespassers,  most  of  them  cheerfully, 
and  a  very  few  of  them  with  reluctance,  carrying  out 


PATH     VALLEY     CHURCHES.  221 

all  their  goods.  Some  had  deserted  before,  and  lay- 
waste." 

It  is  not  possible,  of  course,  to  justify  the  conduct 
of  these  primitive  settlers  in  this  portion  of  Franklin 
County,  in  taking  possession  of  it  contrary  to  law, 
yet  much  apology  is  found  for  them  in  the  circum- 
stances of  the  country  at  the  time,  and  in  their  wil- 
lingness to  risk  any  conflict  into  which  they  might 
thus  be  brought,  with  the  aboriginal  inhabitants.  It 
is  also  gratifying  to  know,  that  they  promptly  and 
peaceably  submitted  to  the  requirements  of  the  law, 
as  carried  into  effect  by  the  officers  of  government. 

The  first  preaching  by  a  Presbyterian  minister, 
among  the  almost  exclusively  Irish  or  Scotch-Irish 
population  of  this  region,  of  which  we  have  any  know- 
ledge, was  in  1767.  In  that  year  "verbal  applica- 
tions in  behalf  of  a  few  in  Path  Valley,"  were  made 
to  Presbytery.  The  appointment,  under  this  request, 
was  given  to  the  Rev.  Robert  Cooper,  who  was  direct- 
ed to  preach  to  that  people  a  Sabbath,  "at discretion." 
After  this,  supplies  were  occasionally  sent  to  that  re- 
gion, and  not  without  success,  as  would  appear  from 
the  fact,  that  in  1769,  "  application  was  made  by  a 
commissioner,  for  the  Presbytery  to  endeavour  to  ac- 
commodate some  differences  subsistinnr  amonn;  the 
congregation,  concerning  the  situation  of  their  meet- 
ing-house or  meeting-houses." 

The  people,  as  we  learn  from  the  Presbyterial  re- 
cords, were  divided  into  two  parties.  One  party  in- 
sisted for  a  meeting-house  near  James  Montgomery's, 
19* 


222    CHURCHES  o  e  the  valley. 

where  they  had  found  a  warrant  for  a  piece  of  ground, 
for  the  sole  purpose  of  a  meeting-house  and  grave- 
yard, and  where  they  had  ah^eady  put  up  logs  for  a 
place  of  worship.  The  other  party  insisted  for  two 
meeting-houses,  and  that  neither  of  them  should  be 
at  James  Montgomery's ;  or,  if  one  house  only  should 
be  allowed,  that  it  should  be  placed  lower  down,  so 
as  to  be  near  the  centre  of  the  congregation.  To 
harmonize  these  conflicting  views  and  feelings.  Pres- 
bytery appointed  a  committee  of  five  Ministers  and 
five  Elders.  This  committee,  however,  after  hearing 
the  statements  of  commissioners  from  each  of  the  par- 
ties, were  not  able  to  adjust  the  existing  difficulty,  as 
is  evident  from  the  following  minute  of  their  proceed- 
ings : 

"  The  committee,  finding  that  the  majority  of  the 
people  are  for  the  house  which  is  begun  at  James 
Montgomery's,  and  that  they  had  never  applied  to  the 
Presbytery  to  interpose  in  this  matter,  nor  are  now 
willing  to  leave  it  to  the  decision  of  this  committee, 
judge  that  they  can  not  proceed  to  do  anything  in 
this  matter,  except  by  way  of  advice,  which  was  done 
by  the  Moderator." 

In  the  year  1773,  the  congregations  of  "  Upper 
Tuscarora"  and  "Path  Valley,"  which  were  united 
as  a  charge,  placed  themselves  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  the  Reverend  Samuel  Dougall.  In  1779,  Mr. 
Dougall  resigned  his  relation  to  the  former  of  these 
congregations,  and  the  other  applied  for,  and  obtained, 
the  whole  of  his  labours,  "  promising  to  contribute 


PATH     VALLEY    CHURCHES.  ZZ6 

and  pay  annually  to  liini,  the  sum  of  £100,  and  the 
quantity  of  one  hundred  bushels  of  wheat,  during  the 
present  circumstances  of  the  times."  Mr.  Dougall 
departed  this  life,  October  4th,  1790. 

After  this  event,  the  Rev.  David  Denny  was 
called  to  the  Upper  and  Lower  Churches  of  Path  Val- 
ley, and  continued  to  serve  them  in  the  Gospel,  from 
1703  until  1800,  when  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of 
the  Church  at  Chambersburg. 

Mr.  Denny  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Amos  A. 
M'Ginley,  a  native  of  Adams  County,  Pennsylvania, 
who  became  pastor  of  the  congregations  in  1802,  and 
continued  to  be  so  until  April,  1851,  when  he  resigned 
his.  charge,  though  he  officiated  as  their  stated  sup- 
ply till  October  following.  The  Rev.  William  A. 
Graham  is  now  the  pastor  of  the  Upper  Church  of 
Path  Valley,  and  the  Rev.  L.  W.  Williams  is  the 
pastor  of  the  Lower  Church,  in  connexion  with  the 
Church  of  the  "  Burnt  Cabins,"  which  is  a  colony  from 
the  Lower  Church. 

Dr.  M'Ginley,  though  he  has  retired,  by  reason  of 
the  infirmities  of  old  age,  from  the  active  duties  of 
the  ministry,  still  lives  in  the  midst  of  the  people 
whom  he  has  long  and  faithfully  served,  and  is  uni- 
versally beloved.  For  nearly  fifty  years,  has  he  pro- 
claimed the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  blessed  God  to  the 
same  community,  and  now  at  length,  he  has,  under  the 
burden  of  advanced  years,  forsaken  his  pulpit,  that 
others  may  occupy  it,  and  hold  up,  as  he  has  done, 
Jesus  crucified,  as  the  hope  of  a  guilty  and  perishing 


224  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

world.  Thus  we  pass  away ;  thus  the  day  for  activity 
in  God's  service  hastens  to  its  close  ; — and  never  per- 
haps is  a  sense  of  this  rapid  transientness  orfugacity 
of  life  more  vividly  flashed  upon  the  soul,  than  when 
turning  over  the  records  of  an  ecclesiastical  body,  we 
read,  in  almost  the  same  book,  of  the  licensure  of  a 
man  in  all  the  vigour  of  youth,  to  fight  the  battles  of 
the  Lord,  and  then,  of  permission  given  him  as  a 
veteran  tottering  with  age,  to  lay  down  the  weapons 
of  his  warfare.  Certain  it  is,  however,  that  if  there 
is  any  vocation  in  which  old  age  has  nothing  to  be 
dreaded  or  deplored,  it  is  that  of  serving  God  in  the 
ministry  of  reconciliation.  The  life  of  a  man  invested 
with  this  high  office,  may  have  been  spent  in  compa- 
rative quietness.  It  may,  too,  have  presented  but 
little  to  the  world,  to  interest  or  attract.  Yet  has 
that  man's  life  been  devoted  to  the  highest  and  holiest 
purposes.  He  has  been  striving  to  stem  the  current 
of  human  corruption  ;  he  has  been  labouring  for  God  ; 
he  has  been  endeavouring  to  elevate  and  heal  fallen 
and  diseased  humanity ;  he  has  been  casting  the  seeds 
of  life  into  a  dying  world  ;  he  has  been  battling  for 
the  right  and  the  true  against  enemies  seen  and  invisi- 
ble ;  he  has  been  watching  for  souls, — 

"For  souls,  which  must  for  ever  live — 
In  raptures,  or  in  woe," — 

and  therefore,  in  his  case  emphatically,  "the  hoary 
head  found  in  the  way  of  righteousness  is  a  crown  of 
glory."     How  worthless,  oh,  how  hollow  and  vain,  do 


PATH     VALLEY     CHURCHES.  225 

the  honours  hivi.slicd  by  the  world  upon  the  conquer- 
ing hero,  seem,  in  comparison  -svith  those  to  which  IIE 
is  entitled  as  an  ambassador  for  Christ,  and  which  he 
shall  receive  and  enjoy,  when  earth  with  all  its  pycans 
and  plaudits  shall  have  for  ever  passed  away ! 

Toward  the  close  of  such  a  life  Doctor  M'Ginley 
has  now  fiir  advanced.  He  has  reached  the  seventy- 
fifth  year.  A  long  shadow  stretches  before  him  on 
the  plain.  All  the  days  of  his  appointed  time  is  he 
waiting  until  his  change  come.  For  a  period  longer 
than  many  are  permitted  to  live,  he  has  been  enabled 
by  grace,  to  exhibit  to  the  world  a  happy  exemplifica- 
tion of  the  wisdom  from  above,  which  "is  first  pure, 
then  peaceable,  gentle,  and  easy  to  be  entreated,  full 
of  mercy  and  good  fruits,  without  partiality,  and 
without  hypocrisy,"  and  to  preach  the  word  with  ten- 
derness, and  ability,  and  cheering  success ;  and  when 
the  time  of  his  departure  shall  come,  we  doubt  not 
that  he  will  enter  heaven,  to  meet  with  many  there, 
who,  though  casting  their  crowns  at  the  Saviour's 
feet,  will  not  forget  the  Saviour's  instrument  for  their 
conversion.  "  For  what  is  our  hope,  or  joy,  or  crown 
of  rejoicing  ?  Are  not  even  ye  in  the  presence  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  at  his  coming  ?  For  ye  are  our 
glory  and  joy." 

The  following  statement,  which  has  been  furnished 
by  Dr.  M'Ginley,  will  be  read  with  interest,  espe- 
cially by  those  living,  or  who  have  lived,  within  the 
limits  of  his  recent  field  of  labour. 

"  I  can  give  no  information  with  regard   to   the 


226    CHURCHES  of  the  valley. 

prosperity  of  these  churches,  before  A.  D.,  1802. 
During  the  time  intervening  between  1802  and  1831, 
there  was  a  regular  yearly  increase  of  members.  In 
1831  there  was  an  addition  to  the  communion  of  127 
members  ;  and,  in  the  year  following,  sixty  members 
were  added.  Those  who  were,  at  one  time,  in  com- 
munion with  us,  are  numerously  scattered  over  the 
western  country,  from  Pittsburg  to  New  Orleans. 
Two  western  churches,  which  are  now  comparatively 
flourishing,  never  would  have  been  organized,  had  it 
not  been  for  the  number  and  influence  of  our  people 
who  emigrated  thither. 

"By  removal  to  the  West,  we  lost  in  one  year, 
thirty-five  communicating  members,  and  five  were 
removed  by  death  the  same  year.  Notwithstanding 
our  severe  losses,  we  have  nearly  as  many  members 
now  as  we  ever  had. 

"  In  the  Lower  Church,  John  Cunningham,  Robert 
Walker,  Francis  Elliott,  Samuel  Walker,  and  Archi- 
bald Elliott,  were  the  first  elders  of  whom  I  can  gain 
any  information.  Since  their  decease  the  following 
persons  have  been  elders  in  the  Lower  Church : — 
David  Walker,  William  Maclay,  Paul  Geddes,  John 
Campbell,  James  Walker,  and  Joseph  Brown,  all  of 
whom  are  now  dead.  The  elders  now  living,  and  in 
connexion  either  with  the  Lower  Church,  or  the 
Burnt  Cabins'  Church,  are  Alexander  Walker, 
George  Elliott,  William  Elliott,  James  Campbell, 
James  Cree,  Sen.,  James  Cree,  Jr.,  William  Camp- 
bell, and  Daniel  Brown. 


PATH  VALLEY  CHURCHES.       227 

"  The  elders  who  have  been  in  the  Upper  Church 
since  1808,  were  James  Alexander,  William  Alex- 
ander, John  Elder,  John  Ilolliday,  Andrew  Morrow, 
David  Riddle,  Stephen  Skinner,  James  McCurdy, 
Sen.,  and  James  McCurdy,  Jr.,  all  of  whom  are 
dead.  Those  now  acting  as  elders  in  the  Upper 
Church,  are  James  Dougall,  John  Alexander,  James 
Stark,  Jacob  Shearer,  Peter  Shearer,  John  W.  Still, 
William  A.  Mackey,  William  Herron,  and  James 
McCurdy.  The  Trustees  are  James  McCartney, 
John  Alexander,  and  Stephen  M.  Skinner. 

*'  The  oldest  elders  in  the  Upper  Church,  whose 
names  have  been  handed  down  to  us,  are  John  Hol- 
liday,  James  Ardery,  David  Elder,  Samuel  Mains, 
and  Richard  Morrow." 


228 


CHAPTER  XII. 


DICKINSON    CHURCH. 


'In  rival  haste,  the  wished-for  temples  rise! 
I  hear  their  Sabbath-bells'  harmonious  chime 
Float  on  the  breeze — the  heavenliest  of  all  sounds, 
That  hill  or  vale  prolongs  or  multiplies!" 

Wordsworth. 


As  the  population  of  Cumberland  Valley  rapidly 
increased,  at  the  beginning  of  the  present  century, 
there  was  necessity  for  additional  churches.  Villages 
springing  up  in  various  directions,  and  numerous 
families  settling  around  them,  a  house  was  required 
in  the  several  localities,  in  which  the  people  could 
conveniently  assemble  for  public  worship,  and  espe- 
cially such  as  had  not  means  of  conveyance  to  a  dis- 
tant point.  Nor  was  there,  at  that  time,  any  objec- 
tion, that  could  legitimately  be  urged  against  yielding 
to  such  a  demand,  inasmuch  as  that  region  was  then 
constantly  receiving  accessions  to  its  numbers  from 
abroad,  instead  of  sending  out,  as  it  has  done  for  the 
last  score  of  years,  family  after  family,  and  some- 
times colonies,  to  the  distant  West.     It  was,  it  would 


DICKINSON    CHURCH.  229 

seem,  in  part,  at  least,  under  the  force  of  such  a 
necessity,  that  the  church  in  Dickinson  Township, 
Cumberhind  County,  came  into  existence. 

The  first  notice  of  this  congregation  by  Presby- 
tery, is  to  be  found  in  their  records  for  the  year 
1810,  and  is  as  follows  : — 

"  An  application  was  made,  subscribed  by  James 
Moore  and  Joseph  Galbraith,  in  behalf  of  a  number 
of  persons,  calling  themselves  the  Presbyterian  Con- 
gregation of  Walnut  Bottom,  in  the  County  of  Cum- 
berland, that  the  Kev.  Henry  R.  Wilson  should  be 
appointed  to  supply  them,  any  portion  of  time  which 
he  may  be  able  and  willing  to  give  them.  Presby- 
tery thought  proper  to  comply  wuth  their  request." 
Mr.  Wilson  preached  to  this  people  a  part  of  the 
time  during  his  connexion  with  Dickinson  College  as 
Professor  of  Languages,  and,  we  believe,  until  he 
accepted  the  call  given  to  him  from  Silvers'  Spring. 

It  was  not,  however,  until  1823,  that  a  congrega- 
tion was  organized  in  Dickinson  Township.  At  that 
time  an  application,  for  this  purpose,  was  made  to 
Presbytery,  by  a  number  of  persons  residing  near 
the  "Stone  Meeting-House ;"  and  it  was  resolved 
that  their  request  be  granted.  The  Rev.  Messrs. 
Williams,  Duffield,  and  McClelland,  carried  this  reso- 
lution into  effect ;  and  the  congregation  organized 
was  reported  by  them  as,  "  The  Congregation  of 
Dickinson." 

There  was  no  regular  public  worship  among  this 
people,  until  July,  1826,  when  Mr.  McKnight  Wil- 

20 


230  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

liamson,  a  Licentiate  of  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle, 
consented  to  act  as  a  missionary  within  their  bounds, 
one-half  of  his  time,  for  the  term  of  nine  months. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  Mr.  W.  was  unani- 
mously elected  pastor  of  the  congregation.  The  call 
given  him  he  accepted,  and  he  continued  to  labour 
successfully  in  this  field  until  October,  1834 ;  when, 
at  his  own  request,  he  Avas  dismissed,  to  connect  him- 
self with  the  Presbytery  of  Huntingdon. 

Just  one  year  after  Mr.  Williamson's  resignation, 
the  congregation,  through  Presbytery,  presented  a 
call  to  the  Rev.  Charles  P.  Cummins,  which  was  ac- 
cepted. Mr.  Cummins  faithfully  discharged  the 
duties  of  the  pastoral  relation,  until  April,  1844, 
when  he  relinquished  his  post,  and  was  dismissed  by 
Presbytery  to  connect  himself  with  the  Presbytery  of 
Iowa. 

Mr.  Cummins's  successor  was  the  Rev.  Oliver  0. 
McClean,  who  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  congre- 
gation, November  4th,  1844,  and  is  still  labouring 
among  his  attached  people  with  gratifying  tokens  of 
the  divine  favour. 

At  the  organization  of  Dickinson  Church,  John 
Ross  and  Samuel  Woods  were  the  only  ruling  elders. 

At  the  close  of  Mr.  Williamson's  labours  as  pastor, 
the  Session  consisted  of  Samuel  Woods,  John  Ross, 
William  Woods,  Jr.,  George  Davidson,  and  David  W. 
McCulloch. 

At  the  time  of  Mr.  Cummins's  resignation,  the  act- 


DICKINSON     CHURCH.  231 

ing  elders  were,  William  Woods,  Jr.,  Robert  Donald- 
son, William  G.  Davidson,  and  Lewis  II.  Williams. 

The  Session,  as  at  present  constituted,  consists  of 
William  Woods,  Jr.,  Robert  Donaldson,  William  G. 
Davidson,  William  Mateer,  and  John  T.  Green. 

When  the  church  at  Dickinson  was  organized,  there 
were  not,  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  more  than 
from  seventeen  to  twenty  members  in  full  communion. 
The  number  at  present  is  one  hundred  and  sixty. 
The  temporal  condition  of  the  church  is  prosperous. 
There  is  no  debt  resting  on  the  people.  The  pastor 
receives  a  salary  of  six  hundred  dollars.  The  Board 
of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions  and  the  Board  of 
Education,  have  each  separate  and  distinct  appropria- 
tions made,  in  aid  of  them,  annually.  Other  benevo- 
lent enterprises,  of  an  incidental  character,  are  regard- 
ed with  a  spirit  of  liberality.  There  are  two  Sabbath 
schools  in  the  congregation  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

At  the  first  stated  administration  of  the  word  and 
ordinances  among  them,  the  congregation  worshipped 
alternately  in  the  stone  church  belonging  to  the  Co- 
venanters, and  in  the  log  church  of  the  German 
Reformed  and  Lutheran  Congregations,  both  of  which 
are  in  Dickinson  Township.  The  building  in  which 
they  now  worship  was  erected  in  1829,  at  an  expense 
of  nearly  two  thousand  dollars,  and  stands  on  a  slight 
eminence,  at  the  point  wliQi'e  the  road  leading  from 
Mount  Rock  to  Spring  Mills  crosses  the  Walnut  Bot- 
tom Road,  eight  miles  west  of  Carlisle.  The  lot  of 
ground  on  which  it  is  erected,  was  given  for  the  purpose 


232  ciiuRcnES   of  the  valley. 

by  William  L.  Weakley,  Esq.  The  situation  is  in  all 
respects  a  beautiful  one.  The  building,  which  is  of 
brick,  is  45  by  5Q  feet,  and  is  capable  of  accom- 
modating with  its  seventy  pews,  five  hundred  persons. 
Its  interior  is -neatly  and  comfortably  finished,  and 
does  credit  to  the  taste  and  liberality  of  the  congre- 
gation. 


233 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE     CUURCII     AT    CARLISLE. 

About  the  year  1736,  the  Presbyterians  erected  a 
log  church  on  the  Conodoguinett  Creek,  about  two 
miles  north  of  Carlisle,  or  West  Pennsborough,  as  it 
was  then  called,  at  a  place  known  ever  since  as  the 
^'Meeting-House  Spring."  No  vestige  of  this  build- 
ing now  remains,  nor  are  there  any  of  the  oldest  sur- 
viving residents  of  the  neighbourhood,  who  are  able 
to  give  anything  like  a  satisfactory  account  of  it. 
The  members  of  the  large  congregation  which  wor- 
shipped within  its  walls,  have  all  long  ago  disappeared, 
and  with  them  the  memory  of  the  venerable  edifice 
and  the  interesting  incidents  which  were  doubtless 
associated  with  its  history,  have  well-nigh  perished. 

The  first  pastor  of  this  church  was  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Thompson,  from  Ireland.  Mr.  Thompson  was 
ordained  and  installed  November  14th,  1739.  Of 
this  there  is  the  following  notice  taken  on  the  minutes 
of  a  meeting  of  Presbytery,  of  that  date,  at  "  Penns- 
boro." 

"Mr.   Anderson  at  the  meeting-house  door  gave 


234  CHURCHES    OF    THE    VALLEY. 

public  advertisement  that  if  any  could  advance  any 
lawful  objection  against  Mr.  Samuel  Thompson  being 
set  apart  to  the  work  of  the  holy  ministry  to  both 
societies  in  this  place,  and  no  objection  appearing, 
Mr.  Craighead  delivered  a  sermon  from  Ezekiel  xxxiii. 
6,  and  presided  in  the  work  of  ordination.  Accord- 
ingly, Mr.  Samuel  Thompson  was  set  apart  to  the 
work  of  the  sacred  ministry  by  the  imposition  of 
hands." 

It  is  probable,  however,  though  Mr.  Thompson 
was  the  first  settled  pastor  at  "Pennsborough,"  that 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  Craighead  and  Caven  laboured  there 
for  some  time  previously,  in  the  character  of  stated 
supplies.  This,  at  least,  seems  to  be  indicated  by 
this  record,  made  at  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  just 
referred  to : 

"  It  being  inquired  whether  the  upper  settlement 
of  Pennsborough  had  paid  the  arrears  due  by  them  to 
the  estate  of  the  deceased  Mr.  Craighead,  Daniel 
Williams  appeared  and  publicly  engaged  to  pay  said 
arrears  speedily,  viz. :  the  sum  of  £5  6s.  Sd.  Said 
Daniel  Williams  likewise  agreed  to  pay  the  arrears 
due  by  said  society  to  Mr.  Caven." 

Mr.  Thompson  resigned  his  pastoral  relation  in 
1748.  To  this  step  he  was  led  "by  several  reasons, 
but  chiefly  by  the  fact,  that  he  doubted  he  could  not 
be  farther  useful  in  this  congregation."  He  had 
withdrawn  from  Lower  Pennsboro'  in  1T44.  After 
his  release  from  this  charge,  he  settled  at  "  Great 
Conawago,"  where  he  remained  until  the  infirmities 


THE    CHURCH     AT    CARLISLE.  235 

of  age  disqualified  him  for  the  active  duties  of  the 
ministerial  office.  His  son,  the  Rev.  "William  Thomp- 
son, was  an  itinerant  missionary,  as  late  as  1TG6,  for 
several  years,  in  the  counties  of  York  and  Cumber- 
land, after  these  counties  were  founded,  under  the 
direction  of  the  "  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the 
Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts." 

Before  taking  leave  of  the  Old  Log  Church,  on 
the  bank  of  the  creek,  it  may  be  well  to  state  that 
the  congregation  that  worshipped  in  it,  had  some  dif- 
ficulty with  the  people  of  Hopewell,  about  the  erec- 
tion of  a  meeting-house  at  Great  Spring.  This  the 
following  extracts  from  the  Presbyterial  Records  will 
serve  to  show. 

"Aug.  31,  1737.— Mr.  Black  reports  that  he  sup- 
plied at  Pensborrow,  and  convened  the  people  and 
those  of  Hopewell  on  the  Monday  following,  and 
heard  them  confer  about  the  meeting-house  proposed 
to  be  built  at  the  Great  Spring ;  but  the  parties  did 
not  agree  about  the  same." 

"16th  Nov.,  1737.— The  afi'air  of  perambulation 
being  taken  into  consideration,  and  after  much  dis- 
course upon  it,  the  Presbytery  agree  to  defer  a  fur- 
ther consideration  of  said  affaire  until  Spring ;  the 
report  made  by  the  perambulators  is,  that,  in  their 
judgment,  the  distance  between  Pennsborough  Meet- 
ing-House  and  that  at  the  Great  Spring,  is  8  miles, 
and  that  another  road  is  found  to  be  12  miles." 


n 


23G  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

Shortly  after  Carlisle  was  laid  out,  a  Presbyterian 
congregation  was  organized  in  it,  and  a  church  was 
built.  In  relation  to  this  latter  movement,  John 
Armstrong  wrote  to  Richard  Peters  as  follows  : — 

<' Carlisle,  30  June,  1757. 
"  To-morrow  we  begin  to  haul  stones  for  the  build- 
ing of  a  meeting-house,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
square ; — there  was  no  other  convenient  place.  I 
have  avoided  the  place  you  once  pitched  for  a  church. 
The  stones  are  raised  out  of  Col.  Stanwix's  entrench- 
ments :  we  will  want  help  in  this  political  as  well  as 
religious  work." 

"About  the  year  1760,  a  license  was  obtained 
from  Governor  Hamilton,  authorizing  the  congrega- 
tion to  raise  by  lottery,  '■  a  small  sum  of  money  to 
enable  them  to  build  a  decent  house  for  the  worship 
of  God;'  and,  in  1766,  the  ministers  and  others  peti- 
tioned the  Assembly,  for  the  passage  of  an  act  to 
compel  the  'managers  to  settle,'  and  the  'adven- 
turers to  pay,'  the  settlement  of  the  lottery  having 
been  for  a  '  considerable  time  deferred,'  by  reason  of 
the  '  confusion  occasioned  by  the  Indian  wars.'  The 
act  prayed  for  was  passed."  It  is  unnecessary  for 
us,  perhaps,  here  to  state,  that  the  method  of  raising 
money  by  lottery,  for  church  purposes  or  any  other, 
was  not  at  that  time  regarded  as  it  is  now. 

In  the  year  1759,  the  Rev.  George  Duffield  was 
called   to   the    congregations    of    Carlisle    and   Big 


THE    CHURCH    AT    CARLISLE.  237 

Spring,  and  installed  as  their  pastor,  with  the  un- 
derstanding that  t^YO-thirds  of  his  labours  Avcrc  to  be 
given  to  the  former.  Two  years  after  his  settlement, 
an  effort  was  made  by  the  people  of  Big  Spring,  to 
obtain  one-half  of  Mr.  Duffield's  time,  but  this  effort 
was  not  successful,  because  the  Carlisle  congregation 
were  unwilling  to  agree  to  such  an  arrangement,  and 
because  Presbytery  apprehended  that  Mr.  Duffield's 
constitution  would  not  be  able  to  endure,  any  length 
of  time,  the  fatigue  of  being  the  one-half  of  his  time 
at  Big  Spring. 

As  we  find  in  the  llecords  of  Presbytery,  of  April 
16th,  1760,  a  resolution  to  "meet  the  third  Tuesday 
of  October,  at  Mr.  Steel's  meeting-house  in  Carlisle," 
there  would  seem  to  have  been  two  Presbyterian 
Churches  at  that  time  in  this  borough.  There  were, 
at  least,  two  congregations,  which  had  a  separate 
existence,  in  virtue  of  the  division  of  the  church, 
which  then  prevailed  throughout  the  Synod.  "^  On 
this  subject,  Mr.  Rupp,  in  his  History  of  Cumberland 
County,  says :  "  A  short  time  afterwards  (1761),  the 
congregation  in  the  country,  then  under  the  care  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Steel,  constructed  a  two-story  house  of 
worship  in  town ;  and,  some  time  before  the  Revolu- 
tion, erected  the  present  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
on  the  northwest  corner  of  the  centre  square.  Mr. 
Duffield's  congregation  erected  a  gallery  in  Mr. 
Steel's  church,  and  the  two  parties  worshipped  sepa- 
rately." 

*  See  Appendix  IH. 


238  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

In  the  year  1764,  Carlisle  and  East  Pennsborough 
congregations  agreed  to  unite,  and  to  enjoy  each  an 
equal  proportion  of  the  Rev.  John  Steel's  labours.* 

After  the  removal  of  Mr.  Duffield  to  Philadelphia, 
and  the  death  of  Mr.  Steel,  the  two  congregations, 
which  had  been  known  as  the  "  Old  Lights"  and 
''New  Lights,"  united,  and  called,  in  1785,  the  Rev. 
Robert  Davidson.  The  following  year,  the  congre- 
gation thus  united  was  incorporated.  Dr.  Davidson 
was  removed  by  death,  December  13th,  1812.  In 
connexion  Avith  him,  and  as  his  colleague,  the  Rev. 
Henry  R.  Wilson  preached  some  time  to  the  con- 
gregation, whilst  professor  in  Dickinson  College. 

In  1816,  the  Rev.  George  DufBeld,  a  licentiate  of 
the  Philadelphia  Presbytery,  was  called  to  be  pastor 
of  the  congregation  of  Carlisle.  Mr.  Duffield's  labours 
among  this  people  were  greatly  blessed  for  a  number 
of  years.  In  1832,  a  book  was  published  by  him, 
which  was  entitled  "Duffield  on  Regeneration,"  and 
which  as  the  embodiment  of  some  new  views  intro- 
duced by  him  into  his  pulpit,  produced  a  distracted 
state  of  his  congregation.  We  have  not  the  space  to 
give  a  minute  statement  of  the  proceedings  of  Presby- 
tery in  relation  to  this  book  and  its  author.  As, 
however,  the  case  is  interwoven  with  the  history  of 
Presbyterianism  in  Carlisle,  we  are  warranted,  at 
least,  in  presenting  the  following  synoptical  view 
of  it. 

*  See  call  given  to  Mr.  S.,  Appendix  11. 


THE     CHURCH     AT     CARLISLE.  239 

At  a  meeting  of  Presbytery  in  June,  1832,  a  com- 
mittee, previously  appointed  to  examine  the  above- 
mentioned  book,  submitted  a  report,  in  whicli  they 
specified  "  a  number  of  objectionable  doctrines"  which 
it  contained,  "  doctrines  in  opposition  to  those  con- 
tained in  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  on  subjects 
which  are  essential  in  the  Gospel  scheme  of  salva- 
tion."* 

The  report  concludes  in  this  wise : 

"Finally,  the  committee  would  only  add,  that  in 
many  parts  of  the  work  the  language  is  exceedingly 
obscure,  or  equivocal ;  many  theological  terms  and 
phrases,  long  in  use  and  well  understood,  are  set  aside, 
and  a  new  phraseology  is  introduced  unnecessary, 
and  often  unintelligible  to  most  readers  ;  which  things 
are  calculated  greatly  to  embarrass  and  mislead  even 
honest  inquirers  after  truth,  who  are  not  accustomed 
to  very  elaborate  investigation  ;  that  although  the 
work  sometimes  professes  to  set  all  philosophy  aside, 
and  to  adhere  simply  to  Scripture  and  to  facts,  yet 
does  the  author  range  through  every  department  of 
natural  science ;  and  it  is  evident  his  philosophy  re- 
specting the  nature  of  life,  runs  through  the  greater 
part  of  the  work  and  gives  character  to  it." 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted  by  Presby- 
tery in  regard  to  this  report.  "  Resolved,  That  we 
adopt  the  concluding  part  of  the  report,  as  expressive 
of  our  view  of  the  whole  matter  of  it. 

*  These  doctrines  are  included  in  the  "cliarges"  to  be  found 
on  a  subsequent  page. 


240  CHURCHES    of   the   valley. 

"  Resolved,  That  after  deliberate  consideration,  hav- 
ing declared  the  foregoing  doctrines  contained  in  the 
book  entitled  '  Duffield  on  Regeneration,'  as  pre- 
sented in  the  report  of  the  conimittee,  to  be  erroneous, 
and  contrary  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible  and  the 
standards  of  our  Church,  we  do  most  solemnly  and 
affectionately  warn  all  our  ministers,  and  elders,  and 
people,  to  guard  against  such  distracting  and  danger- 
ous errors,  and  this  we  feel  constrained  to  do,  under  a 
deep  conviction  of  our  responsibility  to  the  great  Head 
of  the  Church,  to  guard  against  everything  which  will 
corrupt  the  purity  or  disturb  the  peace  of  the  Church." 

At  a  meeting  of  Presbytery  in  October  of  the  same 
year,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  take  into  conside- 
ration the  entire  proceedings  of  Presbytery  in  regard 
to  Mr.  Duffield's  book,  in  order  to  bring  in,  if  possi- 
ble, some  minute  which  might  be  satisfactory  to  all, 
and  arrest  further  proceedings.  The  report  of  this 
committee  not  having  been  adopted,  a  committee  was 
appointed  at  the  next  meeting  of  Presbytery,  to  pre- 
j^are  charges  against  the  Rev.  George  Duffield,  and 
report  to  Presbytery. 

We  give  the  report  of  this  committee,  and  the  action 
of  Presbytery  in  regard  to  it : — 

"After  due  deliberation  on  the  several  articles  of 
the  report  of  the  committee  in  the  case  of  the  Rev. 
George  Duffield,  the  Presbytery  adopted  them  as 
relevant  charges,  and  they  are  as  follows : 

"  The  committee  appointed  to  pi^epare  charges  of 
error,  to  be  preferred  against  the  Rev.  George  Duffield, 


THE    CHURCH    AT    CARLISLE.  241 

are  unanimously  of  opinion,  that  he  may  be  fairly 
charged  on  the  ground  of  '  common  fame,'  ^vith 
maintaining  and  industriously  propagating,  both  from 
the  pulpit  and  through  the  press,  the  following  doc- 
trines or  opinions,  either  absurd  in  themselves,  or 
directly  at  variance  with  some  of  the  most  important 
and  vital  doctrines  and  truths  taught  in  the  standards 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  w^ord  of  God, 
namely : — 

"1.  That  life  consists  in  the  regular  series  of  rela- 
tive, appropriate,  characteristic  actions  in  an  indi- 
vidual being,  and  that  the  life  of  God  himself  is  not 
distinguishable  from  his  own  holy  volitions  and  ac- 
tions. 

"  2.  That  the  human  soul  equally  with  the  body  is 
derived  from  the  parents  by  traduction  or  natural 
generation ;  that  the  soul  and  body  are  alike  deve- 
loped in  their  actions  respectively,  and  the  soul  as 
created  by  God  and  brought  into  connexion  with  the 
body,  whether  in  conception,  quickening,  or  the  first 
inspiration,  is  wholly  destitute  of  all  capacities  wdiat- 
ever. 

"  3.  That  the  image  of  God,  in  wiiich  man  or  xidam 
was  originally  created,  principally  consisted  in  a 
threefold  life,  with  which  he  was  endowed  by  his 
Maker,  viz.,  vegetable^  animal,  and  spiritual  life. 

"  4.  That  Adam  was  not  the  federal  covenant  head 

of  the  human  race  ;  that  he  sustained  no  other  relation 

to  his  posterity  than  that  of  a  natural  parent ;  and 

that  there  did  not  exist    anything  which  could  pro- 

21 


242  CHURCHES     OF    THE    VALLEY. 

perly  be  denominated  a  covenant  relation  between 
God  and  Adam,  as  the  representative  of  his  natural 
offspring. 

"5.  That  Adam's  sin  is  in  no  proper  sense  imputed 
to  his  posterity  to  their  legal  condemnation,  and  that 
the  temporal  or  natural  death  of  infants  is  the  natural 
result  or  consequence  of  Adam's  sin,  solely  by  virtue 
of  their  connexion  with  him  as  a  parent. 

"  6.  That  all  holiness  and  sin  consists  exclusively  in 
voluntary  acts  and  exercises  of  the  soul ;  that  there 
is  no  principle  of  holiness  or  sin  inherent  in  the  soul, 
which  exerts  any  power  or  causal  influence  in  produc- 
ing holy  or  sinful  acts  and  exercises ;  and  that  there 
is  no  innate,  hereditary,  derived  depravity  or  cor- 
ruption in  our  nature. 

''  7.  That  no  moral  character  can  be  appropriately 
predicated  of,  or  possessed  by  infants ;  that  they  are 
neither  sinful  nor  holy,  are  not  actually  under  the 
government  of  law,  nor  above  the  level  of  the  mere 
animals;  and  that  even  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  his 
infant  state,  possessed  no  holiness  of  character,  other 
than  what  might  be  affirmed  of  the  Mosaic  tabernacle 
or  inmost  chamber  of  the  temple,  and  other  consecrat- 
ed instruments  of  Jewish  worship  ;  and  that  our  first 
parents  themselves  were  not  created  in  a  state  of 
moral  rectitude,  that  is,  they  possessed  no  holiness  or 
moral  character,  anterior  to,  and  independent  of,  their 
own  volitions  and  exercises,  or,  in  other  words,  they 
had  no  spiritual  life  till  they  acquired  it  by  their  own 
voluntary  acts  and  exercises. 


THE     CHURCH    AT    CARLISLE.  243 

"  8.  That  man  in  liis  fallen  state  is  possessed  of 
entire  ability  to  repent,  believe,  and  perform  other 
holy  exercises,  independently  of  any  new  power  or 
ability  imparted  to  him  by  the  regenerating  or  new- 
creating  influences  of  the  Holy  Ghost, — consequently, 

"  9.  That  regeneration  is  essentially  a  voluntary 
change  or  act  of  the  soul,  is  exclusively  the  effect  of 
man's  own  unassisted  powers  and  efforts,  independently 
of  any  divine  influence  Avhatevcr,  except  what  is  of  a 
mere  objective  moral  kind,  or,  in  other  language,  the 
moral  suasion  of  the  spirit,  or  the  suasive  influence  of 
the  truth,  in  connexion  with  an  arrangement  of  provi- 
dential circumstances. 

"  10.  That  by  election,  in  the  Sacred  Scriptures,  is 
meant  nothing  else  than  the  actual  selection  of  a  cer- 
tain number  from  the.great  mass,  by  their  being  mB,de 
the  subjects  of  spiritual  life,  which  is  not  possessed 
by  the  rest ;  that  it  is  the  actual  display  of  God's 
sovereignty  in  making  believers  alive  from  the  dead, 
or  quickening  them  (believers),  from  the  death  of 
trespasses  and  of  sins,  in  which  they  (believers),  with 
all  mankind  were  lying."  • 

This  report  having  been  "  considered  and  sus- 
tained" by  Presbytery,  they  resolved  to  institute  judi- 
cial process  against  Mr.  Dufiield,  on  the  grounds  of 
the  specifications  contained  in  it,  and  to  cite  him  to 
appear  before  Presbytery  at  its  next  meeting,  to  an- 
swer the  same. 

When  Mr.  Duflicld  appeared,  in  obedience  to  the 
citation  issued,  the  prosecuting  committee  which  had 


244  CHURCHES     OF    THE     VALLEY. 

been  appointed,  having  submitted  to  Presbytery  all 
the  testimony  in  support  of  the  charges  preferred 
against  him,  he  was  heard  at  some  length  in  his  de- 
fence, and  then  the  vote  ''  whether  Mr.  Duffield 
is  guilty  or  not  guilty,"  was  taken,  with  the  following 
result : — 

1st  Charge, — guilty ;  seven  votes  affirmative,  four 
negative,  six  non  liquet.  2d  Charge, — guilty  ;  six 
affirmative,  five  negative,  and  seven  non  liquet.  3d 
Charge, — five  affirmative  and  five  negative  ;  not 
guilty,  by  the  casting  vote  of  the  Moderator.  4th 
Charge, — guilty;  twelve  affirmative,  four  negative, 
and  two  non  liquet.  5th  Charge,  same  vote.  6th 
Charge,  same  vate.  7th  Charge,  same  vote.  8th 
Charge,  same  vote.  9th  Charge, — guilty;  ten  af- 
firmative, four  negative,  and  four  non  liquet.  10th 
Charge, — not  guilty;  two  affirmative,  nine  negative, 
and  seven  noij  liquet. 

The  trial  being  over,  a  motion  was  made  to  adopt 
the  following  minute  as  expressive  of  the  sense  of 
Presbytery  in  the  case,  and  it  was  carried : 

"As  to  the  counts  in  which  Mr.  Duffield  has  been 
found  guilty,  Presbytery  judge,  that  Mr.  Duffield' s 
Book  and  Sermons  on  Regeneration  do  contain  the 
specified  errors  :  yet  as  Mr.  Duffield  alleges  that 
Presbytery  have  misinterpreted 'some  of  his  expres- 
sions, and  says  he  does  in  fact  hold  all  the  doctrines 
of  our  standards,  and  that  he  wishes  to  live  at  amity 
with  his  brethren,  and  labour  without  interruption 
for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  souls,  there- 


THE    CHURCH     AT     CARLISLE.  245 

fore,  Resolved,  that  Presbytery,  at  present,  do  not 
censure  him  any  furtlier,  than  warn  him  to  guard 
against  such  speculations  as  may  impugn  the  doc- 
trines of  our  Church,  and  tliat  he  study  to  maintain 
'  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace.'  " 

It  is  proper  to  add,  that  this  decision  was  not  ap- 
proved by  Synod,  as  the  annexed  extract  from  the 
adopted  report  of  Synod's  committee  to  examine  the 
Records  of  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  will  show  : 

"  The  committee  cannot  recommend  an  approval  of 
this  decision ;  because  it  compromises  essential  truths, 
defeats  the  ends  of  discipline,  and,  under  the  circum- 
stances of  the  case,  presents  a  result  never  contem- 
plated by  our  constitution,  after  a  judicial  conviction 
upon  points  involving  material  departures  from  the 
doctrines  of  our  standards." 

In  this  brief  statement  of  the  trial  of  Mr.  Duffield, 
we  have  omitted  most  of  the  interlocutory  proceedings, 
such  as  protests,  complaints,  and  exceptions,  emana- 
ting from  himself  and  those  who  sympathized  with 
him,  in  relation  to  the  alleged  injustice  and  infor- 
mality of  the  action  of  Presbytery.  This,  however, 
w^e  have  felt  constrained  to  do  by  a  regard  to  the 
limitedness  of  our  space.  And  this  course  we  have 
been  the  less  reluctant  to  pursue,  as  our  avowed  object 
is  not  to  argue  the  case,  or  act  as  reporter  of  it,  but 
merely  to  state  in  the  most  compendious  way  possible, 
what  Presbytery  did  in  relation  to  the  book  and  its 
author,  and  what  was  the  ground  of  their  action. 
21* 


246  CHURCHES     OF     THE    VALLEY. 

Contemporaneously  with  Dr.  Duffield'  s  difficulties  in 
Presbytery,  there  existed  also  difficulties  in  the  con- 
gregation of  which  he  was  pastor.  The  first  intima- 
tion of  these  which  we  have  in  the  Preshyterial  records, 
is  in  "a  memorial  and  a  communication  from  part  of 
the  congregation  of  Carlisle,  requesting  Presbytery  to 
redress  certain  grievances  complained  of  in  them. ' '  This 
was  soon  followed  by  a  petition,  which  was  presented 
by  Mr.  Andrew  Blair,  and  signed  by  seventy-seven 
members  of  the  congregation,  praying  to  be  set  off 
and  formed  into  a  separate  congregation.  Presbytery 
having  granted  this  prayer,  "in  view  of  the  things 
now  existing  in  that  congregation  and  known  to 
Presbytery,"  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Car- 
lisle was  organized,  by  a  committee  appointed  for  the 
purpose,  in  the  town  hall  of  that  place,  on  the  12th 
January,  1833.  Of  this  new  congregation,  Messrs. 
Andrew  Blair,  John  M'Clure,  and  Robert  Clark, 
were  unanimously  chosen  elders,  and  Peter  B.  Smith, 
Robert  Irvine,  John  Proctor,  and  Robert  Giffin, 
deacons, — all  of  whom  had  been  elders  and  deacons, 
respectively,  in  the  old  church. 

At  a  meeting  of  Presbytery  in  March,  1835,  Dr. 
Duffield' s  pastoral  relation  with  the  First  Church  of 
Carlisle  was,  at  his  own  request,  dissolved,  and  he  was 
regularly  dismissed  to  connect  himself  with  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly's  Second  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia. 

For  some  time,  the  pulpit  thus  vacated  was  filled 
by  supplies,  among  whom  were  the  Rev.  Mr.  Granger, 


THE     CnURCII     AT    CARLISLE.  247 

and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Burrowes,  each  of  -svliom  served  for 
a  number  of  months. 

In  July,  1837,  the  Rev.  W.  T.  Sprole,  a  member  of 
the  Classis  of  Philadelphia,  in  connexion  with  the 
German  Reformed  Church,  was  called  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  First  Church  of  Carlisle.  It  is  not  necessary  to 
notice,  in  detail,  the  difficulties  which  sprang  up  be- 
tween the  Session  of  this  church  and  Presbytery,  in 
connexion  with  the  prosecution  of  this  call,  and  sub- 
sequently, and  therefore  we  only  give  the  record  of 
the  final  disposition  of  the  case,  as  it  is  contained  in 
the  concluding  part  of  the  report  of  a  committee  of 
Presbytery,  adopted  April  13th,  1839.  It  is  as  fol- 
lows : 

"  Therefore  seeing  that  this  Session  has  been  twice 
duly  cited  to  appear  before  the  Presbytery,  to  answer 
for  certain  alleged  improprieties  and  irregularities,  to 
which  citation  they  have  not  responded,  nor  have 
they  in  a  single  instance  sent  a  representative  to  the 
Presbytery  since  our  meeting  at  Newville,  Oct.  3d, 
1837,  although  we  have  had  no  less  than  seven  meet- 
ings of  the  Presbytery  since  that  time,  and  the  pre- 
sent meeting  and  a  preceding  one  in  the  town  of 
Carlisle :  from  every  view  which  the  Presbytery  can 
take  of  this  subject,  the  conduct  of  this  Session  ap- 
pears to  us  to  have  been  disrespectful  and  rebellious 
against  their  authority.  Therefore,  Resolved,  That 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Carlisle  be  consider- 
ed no  longer  a  constituent  part  of  this  Presbytery, 
nor  as  belonging  to  the  Presbyterian   Church  of  the 


248  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

United  States  of  America,  and  that  its  name  be 
stricken  from  the  Roll  of  Presbytery." 

The  Rev.  Daniel  M'Kinley  was  installed  as  pastor 
of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Carlisle,  Aug. 
7th,  1833,  and  continued  to  be  so  until  July,  1838, 
when,  on  his  own  application  to  Presbytery,  the  pas- 
toral relation  was  dissolved,  that  he  might  accept  an 
invitation  which  he  had  received,  to  become  an  Agent 
for  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  To  this  measure,  the  congregation, 
though  warmly  attached  to  Mr.  M'Kinley,  consented, 
under  a  sense  of  duty. 

Mr.  M'Kinley  was  succeeded,  in  October  of  the 
same  year,  by  the  Rev.  Alexander  T.  M'Gill.  The 
following  papers  which  relate  to  Mr.  M' Gill's  trans- 
fer to  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  which  were  laid 
before  Presbytery,  will  be  read  with  interest : 

"To  THE  Associate  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia. 
"Rev.  and  dear  Brethren, — 

"  It  is  the  duty  of  all  believers,  and  especially  mi- 
nisters of  the  Gospel,  '  to  prove  all  things,'  not  only 
before  they  make  a  solemn  and  particular  profession 
of  the  faith,  but  afterwards  and  always  till  we  cease 
to  'see  through  a  glass  darkly.'  No  process  of 
time,  nor  investment  of  office,  nor  pressure  of  circum- 
stances, can  exonerate  from  the  obligation  to  '  search 
and  see  whether  these  things  be  so',  so  long  as  we 
are  fallible.  Perhaps  I  have  erred  in  not  searching 
more  thoroughly  when  I  first  made  a  profession  of  the 


THE    CHURCH     AT    CARLISLE.  249 

peculiarities  of  the  Associate  Church.  But  it  is  now 
my  painful  situation  to  doubt  the  propriety  and  truth 
of  such  a  profession.  1st.  I  cannot  sustain  the  dis- 
cipline of  our  Church,  which  makes  it  censurable  for 
any  member  to  attend  the  preaching  of  the  word  in 
any  Church  that  we  acknowledge  to  be  a  Church  of 
Christ.  2d.  I  cannot  see  a  warrant  for  excluding 
from  the  Table  of  the  Lord,  all  who  are  not  in  full 
standing  in  our  own  particular  communion.  I  can- 
not see  that  communion  in  the  ordinance  of  the  Sup- 
per, should  not  be  as  free  to  believers,  as  the  ordinance 
of  preaching  the  word  is  to  sinners.  As  all  men  have 
the  privilege  of  hearing  the  word  from  us  wherever 
we  labour,  so  all  believers  should  have  the  privilege 
of  receiving  at  our  hands  the  symbols  of  Christ's 
dying  love.  To  define  believers,  we  need  only  inquire, 
'Are  they  unblemished  members  of  the  Church  to 
which  they  belong,  and  is  that  Church,  according 
to  our  admission,  a  Church  of  Christ  V  3d.  Although 
the  Psalms  of  David  should  always  be  used  in  the 
worship  of  God,  although  they  are  doubtless  in- 
tended for  worship  in  New  Testament,  as  well  as  Old 
Testament  times,  I  cannot  see  that  they  were  exclu- 
sively used  in  the  days  of  Christ  and  his  Apostles 
on  earth.  I  believe  that  the  warrant  for  sin^rinrr 
praises  to  God  comprehends  human  compositions,  or 
the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  and  the  exercise  of  faith, 
couched  in  human  language,  as  well  as  in  the  very 
words  of  a  literal  human  version  of  the  Scriptures. 
''These  views.  Brethren,  have  been  gaining  on  my 


250  CHURCHES     OF     THE     VALLEY. 

conviction  for  the  last  two  years.  It  would  have 
injured  the  peace  of  the  Church,  and  my  own  useful- 
ness, to  have  avowed  them  from  time  to  time.  Till 
now,  I  have  concealed  them  wherever  I  have  laboured, 
believing  it  wrong  to  broach  anything  contrary  to 
our  profession,  while  I  remained  in  its  connexion. 
But  to  pursue  such  a  course  any  longer,  is  disinge- 
nuous, and  ruinous  to  my  own  peace.  I  now,  there- 
fore, frankly  disclose  to  you  my  belief,  where  it 
varies  from  the  peculiarity  of  our  communion.  Be- 
lieving that  with  such  views,  I  would  not  be  permitted 
to  remain  in  connexion  with  you,  I  respectfully  ask 
you  for  a  dismission  to  join  the  Presbytery  of  Car- 
lisle, in  subordination  to  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States ;  or,  if 
such  dismission  be  not  granted,  I  ask  a  certificate  of 
my  standing  among  you  as  a  minister  of  Christ, 
"  Yours,  affectionately, 

"  In  the  bonds  of  the  Gospel, 

"Alexander  T.  M'Gill. 

"  October  24th,  1838." 

"Whereas,  the  Rev.  Alexander  T.  M'Gill  has  ap- 
peared before  Presbytery,  professing  that  he  enter- 
tains doubts  in  regard  to  certain  points  of  the  public 
profession  of  the  Associate  Church,  and  has  signified 
his  intention  to  withdraw  from  the  communion  of  this 
Church,  and  has  to  this  end  applied  for  a  dismission ; 
therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  Mr.  M'Gill  be  required  to  ac- 
knowledge his  sin,  and  return  to  his  duty.     Further, 


THE     CHURCH     AT    CARLISLE.  251 

"  Resolved,  That  in  default  thereof,  he  be  sus- 
pended from  the  exercise  of  the  ministry  and  the 
communion  of  this  Church. 

"  A  true  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Associate 
Presbytery  of  Philadelphia. 

"Attest,  John  G.  Smart, 

"  Clerk,  pro  tem. 
'<  Mercersburg,  October  24tli,  1838." 

"  To  THE  Moderator  and  Members  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Carlisle. 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Brethren, — 

"Believing  that  your  confession  embodies  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Gospel,  and  that  your  practice  is  scrip- 
tural, and  more  accordant  -svith  my  own  views  than 
that  of  any  other  branch  of  the  visible  church,  I  re- 
spectfully ask  admission  to  your  communion,  and  to 
the  exercise  of  the  ministry  among  you.  My  stand- 
ing in  the  Associate  (Presbyterian)  Church  was  un- 
blemished. But  on  disclosing  to  them  doubts  re- 
specting sundry  peculiarities  in  their  public  profes- 
sion, the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  immediately 
suspended  me,  'from  the  exercise  of  the  ministry 
and  the  communion  of  the  Church.'  A  paper  con- 
taining a  true  copy  of  my  letter  to  that  Presbytery, 
and  a  paper  containing  a  true  extract  from  the 
minutes  of  their  proceedings  thereon,  are  herewith 
laid  before  you. 

"  Yours,  with  much  respect  and  affection, 

"Alexander  T.  M'Gill." 


252         CHURCHES   or   the   valley. 

After  these  communications  were  read  before  Pres- 
bytery, the  following  action  was  taken  : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  reasons  contained  in  the 
above-named  papers,  for  which  the  Associate  Pres- 
bytery suspended  Mr.  M'Gill,  namely:  1.  Occasional 
hearing ;  2.  Catholic  communion ;  and  3,  the  rejec- 
tion of  the  exclusive  use  of  Rouse's  Psalms,  are,  in 
our  opinion,  insufficient  grounds  for  any  ecclesiastical 
censure,  much  less  for  suspension  from  the  ministry 
of  the  Gospel;  and,  therefore,  the  act  of  the  Associate 
Presbytery,  suspending  Mr.  M'Gill  from  the  exercise 
of  the  functions  of  his  ministerial  office,  forms  no  bar 
in  our  way  to  his  reception  as  a  member  of  this  Pres- 
bytery." 

Mr.  M'Gill  was  examined  on  his  views  of  the  doc- 
trines, government,  and  discipline  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  and  his  examination  was  sustained  : 
after  wbicb  the  Moderator  proposed  to  him  the  con- 
stitutional questions  contained  in  the  Confession  of 
Faith,  Form  of  Government,  Chap.  XV.,  which  he 
answered  in  the  affirmative :  w^hereupon  it  was 

"Resolved,  that  Mr.  M'Gill  be  received  as  a 
member  of  this  Presbytery,  and  his  name  be  entered 
upon  our  roll." 

Dr.  M' Gill's  pastoral  relation  to  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Carlisle,  which  was  formed 
in  April,  1839,  continued  until  December,  1841, 
when,  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  the  President 
and  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
Western  Theological  Seminary,  at  Allegheny  City, 


THE    C  nunc  II     AT    CARLISLE.  253 

it  was  dissolved,  that  he  might  occupy  the  chair  of 
Ecclesiastical  History  in  that  Institution.  lie  has 
since  accepted  a  professorsliip  in  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  Columbia,  South  Carolina. 

The  Rev.  T.  V.  Moore,  a  licentiate  under  the  care 
of  the  Presbytery  of  West  Jersey,  was  installed  as 
Dr.  M'Gill's  successor  at  Carlisle,  in  the  spring  of 
1842,  and  continued  to  be  so  until  his  acceptance  of 
a  call  from  the  congregation  of  Grcencastle,  in  the 
autumn  of  the  year  1845. 

After  Mr.  Moore's  resignation,  the  Rev.  James 
Lillie,  of  the  Classis  of  Ulster,  became  pastor  of  the 
congregation,  and  served  it  for  several  years.  The 
present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mervin  E.  Johnston,  was 
ordained  and  installed  August  22d,  1849,  and  has 
since  been  favoured  with  gratifying  evidence  of  the 
Divine  blessing  upon  his  labours.  The  Session,  as 
now  constituted,  consists  of  Andrew  Blair,  Robert 
Clark,  Samuel  Hepburn,  and  Matthew  Davidson. 
The  church,  which  stands  on  the  corner  of  South 
Hanover  and  Pomfret  Streets,  is  a  very  neat  and 
capacious  building ;  and  the  congregation,  according 
to  the  last  report  made  to  Presbytery,  numbers  two 
hundred  and  eighty-five  communicating  members. 

It  gives  us  great  pleasure  to  add,  that  whilst  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Congregation  of  Carlisle  is  in  a 
flourishing  condition,  so  likewise  is  that  from  which 
it  seceded.  Its  esteemed  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wing, 
is  cultivating,  with  success,  the  field  in  which  God 
22 


254      CHURCHES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

has  placed  him.  Equally  pleased  are  we  to  record, 
that  any  asperity  of  feeling,  with  which  the  history 
of  these  dissociated  churches  may  have  been  attended, 
has  largely  yielded,  as  it  ought  entirely  to  do,  to  the 
harmonizing  spirit  of  the  Gospel  of  their  common 
Lord. 


SUPPLEMENT. 


SUPPLEMENT. 

PAXTON   AND    DERRY    CHURCHES. 

Paxton  Church  is  situated  about  three  miles  east 
of  Harrisburg,  and  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  north 
of  the  Reading  Turnpike.  As  this  congregation  is 
one  of  the  oldest  in  the  State,  it  doubtless  had  a 
house  of  worship  before  that  which  is  now  in  use, 
but  of  this  no  knowledge  can  be  derived,  either  from 
the  recollections  of  the  living,  or  the  records  of  the 
dead.  The  Rev.  A.  D.  Mitchell,  the  present  pastor, 
in  a  letter  in  which  he  expresses  his  regret,  that  by 
reason  of  the  loss  of  the  records  of  the  churches 
under  his  care,  with  the  exception  of  those  of  compa- 
ratively recent  date,  he  is  unable  to  furnish  more 
extensive  and  accurate  information  respecting  them, 
says  : — "  When  the  present  building  was  erected  is 
not  certainly  known.  From  evidence  that  I  have  in 
my  possession,  I  know  that  it  has  been  standing  for 
at  least  ninety-eight  years.  This  is,  perhaps,  as 
near  an  approximation  to  the  time  of  its  erection,  as 
can  be  made." 

"Derry,"  Mr.  Mitchell  adds,  "is  located  about 
22* 


258  SUPPLE  iM  E  N  T. 

ten  miles  farther  cast,  and  but  a  short  distance  north 
of  the  turnpike  leading  from  Harrisburg  to  Reading. 
The  present  building  was  erected  about  ninety  years 
ago.  The  congregation,  though  at  one  time  among 
the  largest  in  the  Presbytery,  is  now  almost  entirely 
broken  up  by  emigration." 

We  could  not,  perhaps,  make  our  brief  sketch  of 
Paxton  and  Derry  more  interesting,  than  by  present- 
ing, at  some  length,  what  is  to  be  found  concerning 
them,  on  the  Presbyterial  Records. 

''  Oct.  11th,  1732.— This  day  appeared  Geo.  Re- 
nick,  and  others,  from  Paxton  and  Derry,  requiring 
an  answer  to  their  call,  given  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ber- 
tram, at  Philadelphia,  where  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Castle  met,  producing  their  subscription  for  his  sup- 
port ;  whereupon  the  Presbytery  asking  Mr.  Ber- 
tram if  he  had  considered  said  call,  and  requiring 
his  answer  in  relation  thereunto,  he  declared  his  ac- 
ceptance thereof,  and  that  he  would  take  the  people's 
subscriptions,  without  any  other  obligations  for  his 
support." 

"Nov.  15th,  1732.— The  Presbytery  order  the 
congregations  of  Derry  and  Paxton  to  pay  up  the 
arrears  due  to  Mr.  Anderson.  Mr.  Bertram  gave 
in  a  list  of  more  nominations  by  the  congregations 
of  Paxton  and  Derry,  to  be  set  apart  for  Ruling 
Elders :  the  Presbytery  appoints  that  they  be  again 
published,  and  intimation  given  that  if  any  objection 
be  made  against  any  of  them,  that  said  objections 
shall  be  given  in  in  due  time." 


P  A  X  T  0  N     AND     D  E  R  R  Y    CHURCHES.        259 

"  The  congregation  of  Paxton  and  Derry,  with  the 
concurrence  of  the  Presbytery,  appoints  Thomas 
Foster,  George  Renick,  William  Kuningham,  Thomas 
Mays,  for  Paxton  side  ;  and,  for  the  other  side  of 
the  creek,  Rowland  Chambers,  Hugh  Black,  Robert 
Campbell,  John  Wilson,  William  Wilson,  James 
Quigly,  William  M'Cord,  and  Jon.  Sloan,  to  take 
care  that  the  subscriptions  for  Mr.  Bertram's  main- 
tenance be  paid,  and  to  collect  the  same  until  the 
congregation  be  better  regulated." 

"Paxton,  Aug.  28th,  1734. — A  visitation  having 
been  appointed  here,  Mr.  Bertram,  after  previous 
intimation  to  the  congregation,  preached  upon  2  Cor. 
iv.  5,  with  approbation.  It  being  interrogated  whether 
Mr.  Bertram  had  performed  his  duty  as  a  Gospel 
minister,  and  the  several  branches  thereof,'  and  had 
a  conduct  and  behaviour  suitable  to  his  station ;  it 
was  answered  by  the  representatives  of  both  societies 
in  the  affirmative,  to  their  great  satisfaction  and  spi- 
ritual edification.  The  said  representatives  being 
asked  about  the  elders  in  both  societies,  replied  that 
they  had  no  objection,  nor  much  time  to  make  trial 
of  their  behaviour,  said  elders  being  but  lately  in- 
vested with  that  office.  It  was  likewise  proposed 
whether  any  proper  modes  were  taken  to  collect  Mr. 
Bertram's  salary :  they  answered  that  suitable  modes 
were  laid  down,  and  they  hoped  would  be  duly  pro- 
secuted. The  elders  of  both  societies  being  called 
in,  were  asked  concerning  the  general  behaviour  of 
their  minister  in  the  congregation,  and  his  particular 


260  SUPPLEMENT. 

conduct  in  managing  sessional  affairs ;  they  replied 
that  his  conduct  was  exemplary  and  agreeable ;  and, 
because  of  the  late  formation  of  the  session,  they  had 
not  opportunity  of  much  experience  that  way.  Mr. 
Bertram  was  called  in,  and  asked  whether  the  people 
had  performed  their  duty  to  him  in  all  the  branches 
of  it :  he  answered  that  he  had  no  general  com- 
plaints, but  was  not  fully  satisfied  in  reference  to  his 
house ;  and,  for  the  payment  of  his  subscriptions,  he 
had  not  computed  his  book  accounts,  but  expected  to 
be  capable  to  give  a  particular  account  thereof  against 
our  next." 

''  Oct.  7th,  1735.— Mr.  Bertram  and  his  elder  re- 
presented to  the  Presbytery,  that  inasmuch  as  Mr. 
Bertram  is  under  an  intolerable  burden  of  labour  and 
fatigue,  in  the  discharge  of  the  work  of  the  ministry 
to  both  parts  of  the  congregation  to  which  he  stands 
related,  it  is  their  desire  that  some  of  the  ministers 
might  be  appointed,  at  a  convenient  time,  to  go  unto 
and  convene  the  people  of  said  congregation,  and  in- 
quire into  their  circumstances,  as  to  their  ability  to 
be  separated  into  two  distinct  congregations,  and 
subsist  by  themselves,  in  order  to  Mr.  Bertram's 
being  eased  of  part  of  his  burden,  that  he  may  be 
able,  with  more  comfort,  to  go  on  in  the  discharge  of 
his  duty,  unto  whatever  part  of  said  people  he  shall 
be  determined  to  continue  with." 

"Nov.  18th,  1735. — A  supplication  was  presented 
from  the  Session  of  the  congregation  of  Derry,  desir- 
ing that  if  they  should  be  separated  from  Paxton,  as 


PA  XT  ON    AND     DEIIRY    CHURCHES.        261 

a  distinct  congregation,  their  bounds  may  be  fixed  so 
as  that  they  may  be  able  to  take  steps  for  their  being 
supplied." 

At  this  meeting  of  Presbytery,  "Lazarus  Stuart 
appeared  to  prosecute  the  supplication  of  Monada 
Creek,  for  a  new  erection."  In  answer  to  this  sup- 
plication, Mr.  Anderson,  Andrew  Galbraith,  and  one 
of  the  elders  from  Paxton — AVilliam  Maxwell  by 
name — were  ordered  to  perambulate  the  bounds  be- 
tween the  people  of  Derry  and  those  of  Monada. 
This  committee  discharged  the  duty  assigned  them, 
and  the  Presbytery  approved  their  judgment,  viz.  : 
"  That  the  people  of  Monada  be  erected  into  a  dis- 
tinct congregation,  and  that  the  place  where  now 
they  have  begun  to  build  a  house  is  the  most  commo- 
dious place  for  a  meeting-house  for  that  people." 

In  1736,  in  the  prospect  of  Mr.  Bertram's  release 
from  one  part  of  his  charge,  the  people  of  Paxton  de- 
clared that  they  could  afford  yearly  for  the  support 
of  their  minister,  <£60,  one-half  in  money,  the  other 
half  in  hemp,  flour,  linen  yarn  or  linen  cloth,  at  mar- 
ket price.  The  people  of  Derry,  likewise,  promised 
the  sum  of  £55,  to  be  paid  in  like  manner,  and  both 
societies  engaged  to  allow  their  minister  the  benefit 
of  overplus  subscriptions.  It  was  farther  agreed  to 
by  the  people  of  Monada  and  Derry,  and  ordered  by 
the  Presbytery,  that  those  living  upon  the  borders  of 
those  two  congregations,  that  is,  between  the  two 
meeting-houses,  and  beyond  the  creek  of  Swatara, 
should,  on  or  before  the  first  of  the  ensuing  November, 


262  S  U  P  P  L  E  M  E  N  T. 

declare,  in  an  orderly  way,  vv'hether  they  would  con- 
nect themselves  with  the  congregation  of  Derry  or 
Monada. 

About  the  same  time,  Mr.  Bertram  being  asked  by 
Presbytery  which  of  the  congregations,  Paxton  or 
Derry,  he  was  willing  to  adhere  to,  expressed  his  de- 
sire to  remain  connected  with  Derry.  Of  the  conti- 
nuance of  this  connexion  Presbytery  approved,  and 
declared  the  congregation  of  Paxton  vacant.  This 
approval  was  accompanied  with  a  recommendation  to 
the  people  of  Derry,  "  speedily  to  improve  upon  the 
glebe-land  that  was  talked  of,  in  order  to  make  it 
inhabitable  for  Mr.  Bertram,  that  his  easement  of 
travel  maybe  obtained." 

In  1737,  a  supplication  together  with  a  call  to 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Sanckey,  was  presented  by  John  Cun- 
ningham and  Robert  Grier,  commissioners  from  the 
congregation  of  Hanover,  by  which  said  commission- 
ers were  empowered  to  promise  toward  Mr.  Sanckey's 
outward  support,  among  that  people,  as  their  orderly 
pastor,  the  annual  sum  of  sixty  pounds,  that  is,  one- 
half  in  cash  and  the  other  in  particular  commodities, 
as  flax,  hemp,  linen  yarn  and  cloth,  together  with  seve- 
ral gratuities  mentioned  in  said  supplication. 

In  1738,  Mr.  Elder,  of  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Castle,  accepted  a  call,  which  was  presented  to  him  a 
second  time,  from  the  congregation  of  Paxton,  with 
the  promise  for  "  a  stipend,"  of  £60  in  money.  His 
ordination  took  place  in  November  of  the  same  year, 
and  was  followed  with  an  order  of  Presbytery,  that 


PAX  TON  AND  DERRY  CHURCHES.   263 

^'he  and  tlio  Session  take  care,  that  none  of  those 
■who  are  deficient,  as  to  what  they  were  to  pay  to  Mr. 
Bertram,  by  note  or  otherwise,  be  admitted  to  any 
churcli  privileges  till  they  satisfy  Mr.  Bertram." 

At  a  meeting  of  Presbytery  at  Derry,  December 
9th,  1741,  "  Mr.  Bertram  having  given  his  reason 
for  suing  for  a  dismission  from  his  congregation,  viz. : 
bodily  Aveakness  and  inability,  the  congregation  an- 
swered by  their  representatives,  llowland  Chambers 
and  James  Carothers,  that  they  had  enjoyed  Mr. 
Bertram's  labours  wdien  he  was  more  able,  and  they 
were  willing  now  to  sympathize  with  him  in  his  weak- 
ness, which  so  engaged  Mr.  Bertram  to  them,  that  he 
desisted  from  his  suit  at  that  time." 

In  1762,  the  Rev.  Mr.  M'Mordie  received  a  call 
from  Hanover,  which  he  accepted,  with  "  the  promise 
of  £80,  for  his  temporal  support,  to  be  secured  by 
bond." 

In  1764,  on  account  of  some  difficulty  which  had 
arisen,  several  supplications  from  Hanover  were 
brought  into  Presbytery  and  read,  requesting  a  dis- 
mission for  the  petitioners,  from  the  Rev.  Robert 
M'Mordie's  congregation,  with  liberty  to  join  some 
neighbouring  congregation  under  the  care  of  Presby- 
tery, till  their  way  should  be  clear  to  return  and  join 
Hanover  congregation  again.  This  request  was  not 
granted,  so  far  as  to  dissolve  the  relation  of  member- 
ship, but  the  petitioners  were  allowed,  for  the  time,  to 
put  themselves  under  the  care  of  any  neighbouring 
minister  belonging  to  the  Presbytery,  so  as' to  enjoy  any 


264  SUPPLEMENT. 

privileges  or  administration  of  ordinances  they  should 
desire,  until  something  farther  should  be  done  in  said 
affair. 

Paxton  and  Derry,  it  would  seem,  were  united  to 
the  congregation  of  Donegal  in  the  year  1768,  for  in 
the  Presbyterial  Records  of  that  date,  reference  is 
made  to  an  authentic  account  produced  by  a  commis- 
sioner for  the  congregations  of  Paxton,  Derry,  and 
Donegal,  from  which  it  appeared  they  were  in  arrears 
to  the  Rev.  John  Sloan,  their  pastor. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Woods  received  and  accepted  a  call 
from  Hanover  congregation,  in  June,  1781. 

In  1787,  the  petition  of  a  number  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Harrisburg  and  others  in  the  township  of  Pax- 
ton, having  been  presented  to  Presbytery,  in  which 
they  expressed  a  desire  to  be  erected  into  a  congre- 
gation, and  to  have  the  place  of  worship  in  that  town, 
and  this  movement  disturbing  the  peace  and  harmony 
which  had  existed  between  that  people  and  Paxton 
congregation,  a  committee  was  appointed  by  Pres- 
bytery to  visit  that  region,  the  result  of  whose  inter- 
position to  adjust  the  difficulty,  was  an  agreement  to 
the  following  articles  by  Mr.  Elder,  his  congregation, 
and  Harrisburg. 

1.  The  congregation  shall  have  two  stated  places 
of  public  worship,  the  one  where  the  Rev.  Mr.  Elder 
now  officiates,  the  other  in  Harrisburg.  2.  The  Rev. 
John  Elder  shall  continue  to  have  and  receive,  during 
his  life  or  incumbency,  all  the  salary  or  stipends  that 
he  now  enjoys,  to  be  paid  by  his  present  subscribers. 


PAXTON     AND     DEIUIY     CHURCHES.        2(>5 

as  lie  and  they  may  agree,  and  continue  his  labours  in 
Derry  as  usual.  3.  For  the  present,  the  congregation 
may  apply  to  the  Presbytery  for  supplies,  which,  when 
obtained,  the  expenses  shall  be  defrayed  by  those  who 
do  not  now  belong  to  Mr.  Elder's  congregation  and 
such  as  may  think  proper  to  join  with  them,  and 
should  such  supplies  be  appointed  when  Mr.  Elder  is 
to  be  in  Paxton,  then  he  and  the  persons  to  supply 
shall  preach  in  rotation,  the  one  in  the  country  and 
the  other  in  the  town ;  but  should  Mr.  Elder  be  in 
Derry,  then  the  supplies  shall  officiate  in  town. 
4.  The  congregation,  when  able,  or  they  think  proper, 
may  invite  and  settle  any  regular  Presbyterian  minis- 
ter they  or  a  majority  of  them  may  choose,  and  can 
obtain,  as  a  co-pastor  w4th  Mr.  Elder,  who  shall  offi- 
ciate as  to  preaching  in  the  manner  specified  in  the 
third  proposal. 

In  1791,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Elder  resigned  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  congregations  of  Paxton  and  Derry,  with 
which  he  had  been  intrusted  for  60  years,  on  account 
of  the  infirmities  of  age,  and  in  July  of  the  following 
year  he  died,  at  the  advanced  age  of  86  years,  on  his 
farm  adjoining  Harrisburg,  beloved  in  life,  and  in 
death  lamented. 

The  following  extracts,  which  relate  to  the  bloody 
outrage  which  was  perpetrated  on  the  Indians  at 
Conestoga,  on  the  night  of  the  14th  December,  1763, 
and  in  which  many  of  the  people  of  Paxton  acted  a 
prominent  part,  are  from  a  series  of  historical  num- 
bers in  the  Lancaster  Intelligencer  and  Journal, 
2i 


266  SUPPLEMENT. 

1843,  bj  Redmond  Conyngham,  Esq.,  and  may  be 
of  interest  in  this  connexion. 

"  Imagination  cannot  conceive  the  perils  with  which 
the  settlement  of  Paxton  was  surrounded,  from  1754 
to  1765.  To  portray  each  scene  of  horror  would  be 
impossible — the  heart  shrinks  from  the  attempt.  The 
settlers  were  goaded  on  to  desperation  ;  murder  fol- 
lowed murder.  Scouts  brought  in  the  intelligence  that 
the  murderers  were  traced  to  Conestogue.  Rifles 
were  loaded,  horses  were  in  readiness.  They  mount- 
ed ;  they  called  on  their  pastor  to  lead  them.  He 
was  then  in  the  57th  ^^ear  of  his  age.  Had  you  seen 
him  then,  you  would  have  beheld  a  superior  being. 
He  had  mounted,  not  to  lead  them  on  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  Conestogue  but  to  deter  them  from  the  attempt ; 
he  implored  them  to  return;  he  urged  them  to  reflect. 
' Pause,  pause  before  you  proceed.'  It  was  in  vain.  ^  The 
blood  of  the  murdered  cries  aloud  for  vengeance ;  we 
have  waited  long  enough  on  government.  The  murder- 
ers are  within  our  reach,  and  they  must  not  escape.' 
Mr.  Elder  reminded  them  that  the  '  guilty  and  inno- 
cent could  not  be  distinguished.'  'Innocent!  can 
they  be  called  innocent  who  foster  murderers  ?'  Mr. 
Elder  rode  up  in  front,  and  said,  '  As  your  pastor, 
I  command  you  to  relinquish  your  design.'  '  Give 
way,  then,'  said  Smith,  '  or  your  horse  dies,'  at  the 
same  time  presenting  a  rifle.  To  save  his  horse,  to 
which  he  was  much  attached,  Mr.  E.  drew  him  aside, 
and  the  rangers  were  off  on  their  fatal  errand. 

"  Mr.  Elder   frequently  visited  the  Indians  at  Co- 


PAXTON     AND     DERRY     CHURCHES.        267 

nestogue,  Pequelian,  and  the  Big  Island,  and  was 
much  respected  by  them.  He  had  frequently  repre- 
sented to  the  Christian  Indians  the  wrong  they  were 
doing  to  the  whites  by  admitting  stranger  Indians 
among  them, — conduct  which  made  them  suspected  of 
treachery." 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  Mr.  Elder  to  Governor 
Penn,  January  27th,  1764. 

"  The  storm  which  had  been  so  long  gathering,  has 
at  length  exploded.  Had  government  removed  the 
Indians  from  Conestogue,  which  had  frequently  been 
urged  without  success,  this  painful  catastrophe  might 
have  been  avoided.  What  could  I  do  with  men  heated 
to  madness?  All  that  I  could  do,  was  done.  I  expos- 
tulated, but  life  and  reason  were  set  at  defiance.  And 
yet  the  men  in  private  life  are  virtuous  and  respecta- 
ble ;  not  cruel,  but  mild  and  merciful." 

In  the  year  1788,  Mr.  James  Snodgrass,  after  his 
ordination  by  Presbytery,  was  installed  pastor  of 
the  congregation  of  Hanover.  Mr.  Snodgrass  de- 
parted this  life,  July  2d,  1816,  aged  81  years,  after 
having  long  and  faithfully  served  his  Master  in  the 
ministry  of  reconciliation,  and  exhibited  the  power  of 
godliness  in  his  walk  and  conversation.  The  church 
in  Hanover,  where  he  preached  for  nearly  sixty  years, 
is  now,  as  a  Presbyterian  church,  nearly  extinct. 

In  1793,  a  call  was  received  and  accepted  by  Mr. 
Nathaniel  R.  Snowden,  from  the  congregations  of 
Harrisburg,  Paxton,  and  Derry,  in  which  each  con- 
gregation engaged  to  pay  him  the  sum  of  fifty  pounds 


268  SUPPLEMENT. 

annually  for  his  pastoral  services.  Three  years  af- 
terwards, the  relation  between  the  Rev.  Mr.  Snowden 
and  the  congregation  of  Derry  was  dissolved,  and  the 
congregation  of  Paxton  having  by  a  considerable 
majority  declared  their  determination  to  "  hold  a  con- 
nexion with  Derry,"  this  arrangement  was  approved 
by  Presbytery,  and  Mr.  Elder  was  subsequently  pas- 
tor of  Harrisburg  only. 

In  1799,  Mr.  Joshua  Williams  was  installed  pastor 
of  the  united  congregations  of  Derry  and  Paxton, 
with  the  agreement,  that  for  two-thirds  of  his  labours 
the  congregation  of  Derry  was  to  pay  him  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  pounds,  and  that  for  one-third  of  his 
labours  he  was  to  receive  from  the  congregation  of 
Paxton  sixty  pounds  annually.  This  pastoral  rela- 
tion was  dissolved  in  June,  1801,  at  the  request  of 
Mr.  Williams.  After  this  (1803),  a  call  from  these 
congregations  was  given  to  Mr.  James  Adair,  but  be- 
fore the  meeting  of  Presbytery  after  that  at  which 
this  call  was  put  into  his  hands,  Mr.  Adair  was  re- 
moved by  death. 

The  next  pastor  of  Paxton  and  Derry  was  the  Rev. 
James  Sharon.  Mr.  Sharon  died,  April  18th,  1843. 
We  regret  that  the  obituary  of  this  excellent  man,  as 
well  as  that  of  Mr.  Snodgrass,  has  not  yet  been  re- 
ported to  Presbytery  so  as  to  be  entered  in  their  book 
and  be  available  for  our  purpose ;  but  he  was,  as  all 
know  who  ever  came  within  the  range  of  his  influ- 
ence, a  sound  divine,  an  exemplary  Christian,  and  dili- 


PA  XT  ON  AND  DERRY  CHURCHES.     269 

gent  in  the  great  "svork  to  ^Yhicll  his  life  was  conse- 
crated. 

In  April,  1800,  the  Rev.  James  Buchanan  was  in- 
stalled pastor  of  the  united  congregations  of  Ilar- 
risburg  and  Middle  Paxton.  Two  years  afterwards 
Mr.  Buchanan  resigned  the  pastoral  charge  of  the 
congregation  of  Middle  Paxton,  in  which  he  had  spent 
one-fourth  part  of  his  time.  In  1815,  the  relation 
between  the  congregation  of  Harrisburg  and  Mr. 
Buchanan  was  dissolved  at  his  request.  Mr.  Bu- 
chanan was  succeeded  at  Harrisburg,  in  1819,  by  the 
Rev.  William  R.  Dewitt,  who  still  continues  to  serve 
the  congregation  with  every  indication  of  attachment 
on  the  part  of  the  people,  and  gratifying  evidence  that 
the  long  pastoral  supervision  of  a  flock,  is  not  neces- 
sarily attended  with  a  diminution  of  usefulness  in  their 
midst.  At  the  request  of  Doctor  Dewitt,  in  1832, 
the  re-organization  of  the  Church  of  Middle  Paxton 
was  noticed  on  the  Minutes  of  Presbytery. 

In  1843,  the  cono^reoi;ation  of  Paxton  obtained 
leave  of  Presbytery  to  procure  the  services  of  Mr.  John 
M.  Boggs  for  six  months.  In  1844,  a  call  from  the 
congregation  of  Paxton  and  Derry  was  received  and 
accepted  by  Mr.  Boggs.  At  Mr.  Boggs's  ordination 
and  installation,  the  Rev.  Doctor  J.  C.  Watson  was 
appointed  to  preach  the  sermon.  Doctor  Moody  to 
preside,  and  Doctor  M'Ginley  to  deliver  the  charge. 
The  present  pastor  of  these  congregations,  the  Rev. 
A.  D.  Mitchell,  has  had  the  charge  of  them  for  seve- 
ral years. 

23* 


270  SUPPLEMENT. 

The  Session  of  Paxton,  at  present,  consists  of  Ben- 
jamin Jordan,  Robert  W.  M'Clure,  and  John  B. 
Rutherford.  Of  Derry,  the  only  Elder  is,  James 
Clark,  Esq.,  of  Hummelstown. 


MONAGIIAN    AND    PETERSBUPvG    CHURCHES. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  at  Dillsburg,  York 
County,  Pennsylvania,  ecclesiastically  known  as 
"Monaghan,"  takes  its  name  from  the  township  in 
which  it  was  formerly  embraced.  It  is  often  called 
''  Old  Monaghan,"  because  of  its  unquestionable  anti- 
quity. It  was  organized  more  than  a  century  ago, 
although  at  this  late  period  nothing  certain  is  known 
as  to  the  very  year  of  its  origin.  At  first  it  belonged 
to  the  old  Presbytery  of  Donegal,  for  the  Presbytery 
of  Carlisle,  with  which  it  is  now  connected,  was  not 
erected  until  178G.  Tradition  says,  that  for  some 
years  after  its  organization,  the  savages  were  nume- 
rous in  the  region  round  about,  and  daring  in  their 
movements  of  hostility  towards  the  white  settlers,  so 
much  so,  indeed,  that  a  part  of  the  congregation,  for 
the  sake  of  protection,  and  to  guard  against  surprise, 
found  it  necessary  to  carry  their  fire-arms  with  them 
to  church. 

We  find  the  following  reference  to  this  congrega- 
tion in  the  minutes  of  a  meeting  of  Presbytery  at 
East  Pennsborough,  September  3d,  1745.     "  Com- 


M  ON  A  Gil  AN     AND     PETERSBURG.  271 

missioncrs  from  a  small  settlement  in  Bermudin  ac- 
quainted the  Presbytery  that,  in  order  to  have  the 
ordinances  dispensed  among  them,  they  desired  to  be 
adjoined  to,  and  looked  on  as  a  part  of,  the  Lower  Con- 
gregation of  Pennsborough,  and  that  they  might  be 
allowed  to  build  a  meeting-house  convenient  for  them." 
From  this  record,  it  is  evident,  we  think,  that  the 
congregation  had  an  anterior  existence,  and  then  only 
sought  such  a  connexion  as  would  secure  to  them  the 
regular  enjoyment  of  the  pul)lic  means  of  grace.  In 
relation  to  the  latter  part  of  the  above  request  pre- 
sented to  Presbytery,  the  following  action  was  had 
at  their  meeting  in  April,  1760. 

"  Pursuant  to  Monaghan's  application,  the  Pres- 
bytery orders  Mr.  Thomson,  John  M'Knight,  Esquire, 
and  John  Davies,  to  meet  at  Mr.  John  Dill's,  on  Mon- 
day, the  28th  inst.,  to  judge  respecting  the  situation 
of  the  place  where  Monaghan  people  design  to  build 
their  meeting-house,  and  fix  the  bounds  of  that  and 
East  Pennsborough  congregations,  if  they  have  suf- 
ficient clearness."  The  report  which  this  committee 
made,  two  years  afterward,  was,  "  that  Yellow 
Breeches  should  be  the  line  between  East  Pennsbo- 
rough and  Monaghan,  and  that  Monaghan  meeting- 
house should  be  near  John  Dill's." 

We  are  indebted,  for  the  subsequent  particulars  in 
relation  to  this  church,  to  the  Rev.  Joseph  A.  Mur- 
ray, at  present  the  pastor  of  Monaghan  and  Peters- 
burg. 

"  The  first  place  in  which  the  early  settlers  wor- 


272  SUPPLEMENT. 

shipped,  was  a  log  house,  which  stood  at  the  '  ohl 
grave-yard,'*  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  northwest  of 
the  present  town, — for  at  that  time  there  was  not  so 
much  as  a  town  commenced  here.  Where  precisely 
this  church  was  built,  and  how  long  it  was  used,  can- 
not now  be  ascertained.  In  the  year  1782,  a  stone 
edifice  was  erected  at  what  is  now  the  edge  of  the 
town.  It  was  about  50  feet  long,  40  feet  wide,  and 
15  feet  high  to  the  square  of  the  walls.  The  pulpit, 
small  and  elevated,  was  at  the  north  side ;  and  a  door 
was  at  the  south  side,  as  well  as  at  each  end.  A  small 
stone  building,  about  15  feet  square  and  8  feet  high, 
was  attached  to  the  north  side,  having  two  entrances, 
one  communicating  with  the  yard,  and  the  other  with 
the  church,  near  the  pulpit.  In  olden  times  this  was 
called  '  The  Study,'  it  was  also  used  as  a  school- 
room. Here  the  Session  met ;  here  were  prayer-meet- 
ings held ;  and  here  at  last  was  the  winter  fuel  kept. 
In  1813  this  church  was  burnt,  the  fire  originating 
in  the  small  building  attached,  then  used  for  a  school. 
The  year  following  it  was  repaired.  The  stonework 
was  not  taken  down,  and  it  was  soon  found  necessary 
to  support  the  south  wall  by  huge  props,  in  the  form 
of  logs,  one  end  placed  against  the  wall  and  the  other 
in  the  ground.  It  was  supposed  that  the  wall  had 
been  injured  by  the  fire,  or  else  was  not  strong 
enough  to  sustain  the  new  roof,  which,  with  its  frame- 

■^  So  called  on  account  of  its  antiquity,  and  to  distinguish  it 
from  another  grave-yard,  of  more  recent  origin,  adjoining  the 
present  church  edifice. 


MONAGIIAN     AND     PETERSBURG.  273 

work,  was  thought  much  heavier  tlian  the  first  roof; 
hence  the  wall  began  to  bulge,  and  called  for  the 
props  in  question.  Subsequently  the  interior  was  re- 
modelled. Four  supports,  in  the  form  of  long  co- 
lumns, were  placed  within  the  church,  near  the  south 
wall,  reaching  from  the  ground-floor  to  the  rafters 
above,  and  the  outside  props  were  removed.  The 
ceiling  was  gently  arched,  and  lined  with  boards. 
The  door  at  the  west  end  was  closed,  and  the  pulpit 
placed  there,  leaving  three  entrances,  one  at  the  east 
end,  another  at  the  south  side,  and  the  other  at  the 
north  side,  communicating  with  the  session-room.  The 
pews  had  narrow  seats,  with  a  very  narrow  ledge  to 
support  the  backs  of  the  occupants ;  and  uncomforta- 
ble as  these  would  be  to  those  accustomed  to  some- 
thing better,  yet  doubtless  they  were  considered  a  de- 
cided improvement  where  something  worse  had  been 
enjoyed  !  This  edifice  had  become  so  dilapidated,  so 
unsafe  and  uncomfortable,  that,  in  the  spring  of  1849, 
it  was  taken  down,  and  gave  place  to  another — built 
of  brick,  and  occupying  in  part  the  same  ground. 
The  new  church  has  many  of  the  improvements  of 
modern  times,  is  as  chaste  and  attractive  as  it  is 
commodious  and  comfortable,  and  is  capable  of  hold- 
ing 400  persons, — a  greater  number  than  the  previous 
building  could  conveniently  seat.  It  was  opened  for 
divine  worship  on  Friday,  the  30th  of  November 
1849,  on  which  occasion  the  pastor  gave  a  history  of 
the  church.  On  the  day  following,  the  congregation 
unanimously  agreed  to  introduce  and  use  the  book  of 


274  SUPPLEMENT. 

Psalms  and  Hymns  approved  and  authorized  by  the 
General  Assembly. 

"  The  Rev.  George  Duffield — grandfather  of  Dr. 
Duffield,  of  Detroit,  Michigan — and  the  Rev.  John 
Steel,  members  of  the  Presbytery  of  Donegal,  preach- 
ed at  different  times,  to  the  congregation  worshipping 
in  the  log  church.  Mr.  Duffield  was  installed  as  their 
pastor,  ^  to  give  them  one-third  part  of  his  stated 
labours,'  November  15,  1769.  The  Rev.  Samuel 
Waugh,  a  member  of  the  same  Presbytery,  having  ac- 
cepted a  call,  was  installed  pastor  of  the  united  con- 
gregations of  East  Pennsborough  and  Monaghan,  in 
the  year  1782,  and  continued  their  pastor  till  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1807.  The  late  vene- 
rable Dr.  Cathcart  describes  him  as  '  a  most  wor- 
thy, excellent  man;'  and  there  are  those  here  who 
can  bear  similar  testimony  to  his  character.  In 
March,  1809,  the  Rev.  John  Hayes — antecedently 
Professor  of  Languages  in  Dickinson  College — became 
their  pastor,  and  continued  as  such  till  the  spring  of 
1815.  He  was  not  only  a  linguist,  but  a  poet  of  no 
mean  reputation,  and  in  1807  had  published  a  volume 
entitled,  ^  Rural  Poems,  Moral  and  Descriptive.' 
His  talents  were  consecrated  to  useful  purposes  ;  and, 
though  'dead,'  he  'yet  speaketh.'  For  a  number 
of  years  after  he  resigned  the  charge — an  event  occa- 
sioned in  consequence  of  his  health  failing — the 
church,  which  had  become  detached  from  East  Penns- 
borough, or  Silvers'  Spring,  was  dependent  upon 
supplies,  stated  and  occasional.     The  Rev.  Dr.  A. 


MONAGIIAN     AND     PETERSBURG.  275 

M'Clelland,  now  of  New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey, 
preached  to  tlie  congregation  during  liis  connexion, 
as  Professor,  with  Dickinson  College.  His  character 
and  services,  his  genius  and  wit,  are  well  and  favour- 
ably remembered.  The  Ilev.  N.  R.  Snowden,  father 
of  the  late  State  Treasurer,  was  also  a  frequent  sup- 
ply.* The  Rev.  N.  Todd,  then  a  probationer  under 
the  care  of  the  Philadelphia  Presbytery,  and  now  a 
venerable  minister  and  teacher  in  Western  Pennsylva- 
nia, supplied  the  congregation  for  some  time ;  and 
during  his  services  Watts's  book  of  Psalms  and  Hymns 
was  introduced,  in  the  place  of  the  old  version  of 
Psalmody  by  Rouse. 

"  In  the  spring  of  1830,  the  Rev.  A.  B.  Quay 
commenced  his  labours  among  the  people  ;  and  in  the 
spring  of  1832  he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  united 
congregations  of  Monaghan  and  Petersburg, — on 
which  occasion  the  Rev.  Samuel  B.  Howe,  D.D., 
then  President  of  Dickinson  College,  preached  the 
sermon,  and  the  Rev.  George  Duffield,  then  of  Car- 
lisle, gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor  and  people.  The 
pastoral  relation  then  constituted  continued  till  the 
autumn  of  1839  ;  Mr.  Quay  then  resigned  the  charge, 
having  accepted  of  an  appointment  to  act  as  an  agent 
of  the  Board  of  Education.  For  about  the  space  of 
two  years  afterwards,  the  united  congregations  were 
supplied  by  the  Rev.  E.  M'Kinney,  now  a  missionary 

*  He  died  at  the  residence  of  his  son,  Dr.  C.  G.  Snowden, 
Freeport,  Armstrong  County,  Pennsylvania,  November  3d,  1850, 
in  the  81st,  year  of  his  age. 


t^ib  SUrPLEMENT. 

of  our  Board  among  the  Ottoe  and  Omaliaw  Indians. 
In  October,  1841,  Mr.  Joseph  A.  Murray  received  and 
accepted  a  call  from  the  united  congregations  of 
Monaghan  and  Petersburg,  and  in  April  following 
the  Presbytery  ordained  and  installed  him  pastor 
of  the  same, — on  which  occasion  the  Rev.  George 
Morris  preached  the  sermon,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Amos 
A.  M'Ginley  presided,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Daniel  M'Kin- 
ley  delivered  the  charge  to  the  pastor,  and  the  Rev. 
J.  T.  Marshall  Davie  gave  the  charge  to  the  congre- 
gation. The  pastoral  relation  then  constituted  still 
continues. 

"  Among  the  first  elders  of  the  church — of  whom 
any  recollection  exists,  and  whose  descendants  are 
still  with  us — were  Messrs.  Lewis  Williams,*  Matthew 
Dill,  John  Williams,  William  Porter,t  Alexander 
Ross,  J  William  Mitchell,  John  Nisbet,  and  Alexander 
Sanderson.  In  1802,  Messrs.  Edward  O'Hail,  Henry 
Logan,  John  M'Clellan,  Allen  Torbet,  and  George 
Robinette§  were  appointed  elders.  These  all  repose 
wdth  the  dead.  During  the  suppletory  services  of 
Mr.  Snowden,  Messrs.  William  Ross,  Alexander 
M' Curdy,  George  Crocket,  George  Smith,  and  William 
M'MuUen  were    appointed  elders.      Most    of  these 

*  Father  of  the  late  Ptev.  Joshua  Williams,  D.D.,  and  grand- 
father of  Mr.  Lewis  H.  Williams,  an  elder  in  Dickinson  Church. 

■j-  Father  of  James  Porter,  Esq.,  one  of  our  present  elders. 

J  Father  of  William  Ross,  Esq.,  one  of  our  present  Session. 

^  Father  of  George  llobinette,  an  elder  in  the  Petersburg 
church. 


MONAGHAN    AND     PETERSBURG.  277 

have  finislicci  their  work  on  earth  and  entered  upon 
then-  reward.  "When  Mr.  Quay  assumed  the  pastoral 
care  of  the  church,  the  Session  consisted  of  Messrs. 
George  Crocket,  George  Dare,  G.  W.  Howard,  James 
Porter,  AVilliam  Ross,  and  James  Black.  Mr.  Crocket 
died  in  1835.  Messrs.  \V.  W.  Jones,  Jacob  Ritner,* 
and  J.  B.  Ilursh  were  chosen  elders  in  the  same  year. 
In  June,  of  1837,  Mr.  Jones  was  dismissed  to  connect 
himself  Avith  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  in  Car- 
lisle ;  and  some  time  afterwards  Mr.  Ritner  was  dis- 
missed for  the  same  purpose.  Mr.  James  Clark  was 
chosen  an  elder  in  September,  of  1842.  In  a  letter 
received  from  the  late  Dr.  Cathcart,  he  says: — 
'  Monaghan  Church  was  always  Avell  represented  in 
Presbytery  by  her  eldership,  one  of  the  three,  either 
Messrs.  Dill,  Ross,  or  O'Hail,  being  always  in  atten- 
dance. Mr.  O'Hail,'  he  adds,  'was  once  a  delegate 
to  the  General  Assembly,  and  attended  its  sessions 
with  great  punctuality.' 

"  The  original  settlers  were  chiefly,  if  not  exclusively, 
from  Ireland  and  Scotland ;  rigid  Presbyterians,  ar- 
dently attached  to  the  Church — a  sober,  industrious, 
moral,  intelligent  people.  At  an  early  period  the 
congregation  was  very  large,  comprising  nearly  all 
the  inhabitants  of  the  settlement,  whose  religious 
predilections  were  thoroughly  Calvinistic,  and  it  was 
not  unusual  to  see  the  church  crowded  to  overflowins:. 
It  is  not  so  now,  owing  to  the  operation  of  manifest 

*  Son  of  Ex-Governor  Ritner. 
24 


278  SUPPLEMENT. 

causes.  Death  has  done  its  work,  in  removing  many 
who  had  been  pillars  in  the  Church,  and  useful  mem- 
bers of  society.  Another  cause  may  be  found  in  the 
spirit  of  adventure,  and  the  hopeful  prospects  of  emi- 
gration. And  still  another  cause  may  be  found  in 
the  establishment  of  other  denominational  organiza- 
tions throughout  the  region.  Here,  as  in  many  other 
places,  the  original  race  of  settlers  is  becoming  gra- 
dually displaced  by  another  race.  Still,  the  Presbyte- 
rian element  is  comparatively  strong  and  influential. 
"The  year  1831  was  rendered  remarkable  for  the  out- 
pouring of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  many  parts  of  our  land. 
It  was  a  season  of  refreshing  to  the  churches  belong- 
ing to  the  Carlisle  Presbytery.  Here  the  means  of 
grace  were  well  attended  and  properly  appreciated. 
On  one  occasion  the  concourse  of  people  was  so  great, 
that,  while  Mr.  Williamson  was  proclaiming  the  Gos- 
pel to  those  who  found  room  within  the  church,  Mr. 
Duffield  was  preaching  it  to  those  outside.  And  there 
were  those  then  added  to  the  Church  who  are  still  ex- 
emplary members,  and  doubtless  look  back  to  that 
period  with  tender  emotions.  In  the  winter  of  '42 
and  '43,  there  was  an  unusual  degree  of  interest  here 
on  the  subject  of  religion  ;  there  was  a  great  longing 
for  the  means  of  grace  ;  much  and  deep  feeling  exist- 
ed ;  and  some  permanent  good,  we  trust,  was  the 
result. 

"  The  persons  who  were  organized  into  the  Peters- 
burg Church — Adams  County,  Pennsylvania — previ- 
ously worshipped  at  Monaghan,  having  to  travel  from 
8  to  12  miles  to  church,  and  the  same  distance  return- 


MONAGIIAN    AND     PETERSBURG.  279 

ing  home,  and  it  ^vas  on  the  ground  of  convenience 
that  tlie  little  church  -was  formed.  For  several  3^ears 
they  had  no  church  edifice.  At  first  a  ham  in  the 
summer,  and  a  har-room"^'  in  the  winter,  served  as  the 
place  of  religious  service.  When  the  Academy  -was 
built  in  Petersburg,  it  became  the  usual  place  of  wor- 
ship. The  present  brick  edifice  was  erected  in  1830, 
on  a  lot  of  ground  presented  by  Mr.  James  M'Cosh. 

"  The  first  Communion  was  held  at  the  '  York 
Springs,'  in  1826,  when  about  a  dozen  of  persons 
participated  in  the  memorial  of  their  Saviour's  love. 

"The  Rev.  McKnight Williamson,  now  in  Ohio, 
spent  a  part  of  his  early  ministerial  career  among  the 
little  flock.  The  Rev.  H.  R.  Wilson,  now  deceased, 
preached  for  them  several  times;  and  occasionally 
they  would  be  supplied  by  others,  till  Mr.  Quay  was 
installed  pastor  of  the  united  congregations  of  Mona- 
ghan  and  Petersburg. 

"  The  first  elders  appointed  were,  Captain  George 
Smith — previously  an  elder  of  Monaghan, — Major 
John  Bonner,  and  James  Robinette,  Esq.,  son  of 
George  Robinette,  one  of  the  early  elders  of  Mona- 
ghan. Captain  Smith  afterwards  moved  to  the  West, 
where  he  died.  Major  Bonner  died  several  years 
ago ;  his  son,  Colonel  William  F.  Bonner,  is  a  trus- 
tee of  the  church.  And  within  the  current  year 
'Squire  Robinette  has  been  called  to  his  reward  in 

*  A  public  house,  then  kept  by  the  two  sisters,  Agnes  and  Mar- 
garet Bigham — firm  Presbyterians,  well  and  favourably  known, 
the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living,  a  steadfast  and  consistent  fol- 
lower of  the  Saviour. 


280  S  U  P  r  L  E  31  E  N  T. 

heaven.  During  Mr.  Quay's  ministry,  Mr.  George 
Robinctte,  brother  of  'Squire  Robinette,  and  Mr. 
William  B.  Brandon,  grandson  of  Captain  Smith, 
were  chosen  elders ;  and  since  the  present  pastoral 
relation  was  constituted,  Mr.  John  Mateer  was  elect- 
ed an  elder ; — these  form  the  present  Session. 

"  Although  the  church  has  grown,  yet  it  continues 
somewhat  small,  but  contains  a  commendable  amount 
of  intelligent  piety  and  active  benevolence." 


LOWER    MARSH    CREEK    CHURCH. 

About  the  years  1734-6,  a  band  of  emigrants  from 
Scotland  and  the  north  of  Ireland,  moreusually  known 
in  Pennsylvania  as  Scotch-Irish,  settled  on  the  "  red 
lands"  in  the  southeastern  part  of  York  County.  Not 
long  afterwards,  and  probably  about  the  year  1740, 
a  number  of  the  same  race  made  the  first  settlement 
in  what  is  now  Adams  County,  among  the  hills  near 
the  sources  of  Marsh  Creek.  These  settlers  were  of 
the  better  order  of  peasantry,  and  brought  with  them 
the  characteristics  of  their  native  land.  They  were 
moral,  industrious,  and  intelligent,  and  for  the  most 
part  were  rigid  Presbyterians,  or  "  Seceders."  They 
were  frugal,  as  the  Scotch  always  are — plain  in  their 
mode  of  living,  but  cordial  and  hospitable.  They  were 
universally  men  of  undaunted  courage,  and  high  pa- 
triotic feeling,  and  when  the  alarm  of  the  Revolution 
first  rung  through  the  land,  it  called  no  truer  or  more 
willing  hearts  than  those  of  the  Scotch-Irish  Presby- 


LOWER     MARSH     CREEK     CHURCH.         281 

terians.  The  manners  and  character  of  the  early 
settlers  have  been  very  generally  inherited  by  their 
descendants, — many  of  whom  still  cultivate  the  same 
farms,  worship  in  the  same  old  churches,  and  hold  fast 
to  the  rigid  and  venerated  "form  of  sound  words"  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  (Pennsylvania  Historical 
Collections,  p.  56.) 

We  make  the  following  extracts,  touching  the  his- 
tory of  Presbyterianism  in  the  region  of  Marsh  Creek, 
from  the  Presbyterial  Records. 

"  In  1740,  Mr.  Sankey  was  appointed  to  preach  at 
Great  Conewago  and  Marsh  Creek,  the  second  Sab- 
bath of  August,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Thompson  the  fourth 
Sabbath. 

'^  1742.  Upon  reading  of  the  minute  of  our  last,  re- 
lating to  the  Committee  appointed  to  fix  the  site  of  a 
Meeting-House  at  Marsh  Creek,  appeared  Commis- 
sioners from  both  those  places  with  supplications,  sig- 
nifying their  acquiescence  in  the  judgment  of  said 
Committee,  viz. :  that  it  is  expedient  that  there  be  two 
Meeting-Houses,  and  that  the  people  of  Marsh  Creek 
are  agreed  that  their  Meeting-House  be  at  a  certain 
spring  near  Robert  McFerson's,  which  the  Presby- 
tery approve  of." 

Some  time  after  this,  the  Rev.  Andrew  Bay  was 
called  to  take  charge  of  the  congregation  of  Marsh 
Creek,  and  was,  in  all  probability,  its  first  minister 
Whether  he  was  installed  or  not,  is  not  known.  Mr. 
Bay  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  M'Mordie,  whose 
pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  in  1761. 
24* 


282  SUPPLEMENT. 

In  1765,  "A  paper  was  brought  in  from  Marsh 
Creek,  Thorn's,  and  Piney  Creeks,  respecting  their 
having  fixed  the  bounds  between  said  congregations, 
which  the  Presbytery  ordered  to  be  entered  on  record, 
and  which  is  as  follows : 

"We  the  subscribers,  commissioners  of  the  Marsh 
Creek,  Thorn's  Creek,  and  Piney  Creek  congregations, 
being  met  this  25th  day  of  April,  1765,  in  order  to 
treat  respecting  the  division  lines  between  said  con- 
gregations, have  agreed,  that  a  line  being  drawn 
straight  from  Marsh  Creek  Meeting-house  to  that  of 
Thorn's  Creek,  a  line  crossing  that  line  at  right  angles, 
at  the  end  of  four  miles  and  a  half  from  Marsh  Creek 
Meeting-house,  and  extended  on  the  one  side  to  Thorn's 
Creek,  and  on  the  other  till  it  intersect  Piney  Creek 
congregation,  shall  be  the  division  line  between  said 
congregations,  and  that  the  division  line  between 
Marsh  Creek  congregation  and  that  of  Piney  Creek, 
shall  be  midway  between  the  meeting-houses  of  said 
congregations.  Witness  our  hands  this  day  and 
year  above  written." 

(Et  sic  subscribitur.) 

John  Alexander, 
Saml.  McFarran, 
Wm.  Shields, 
Andrew  Hart, 
Wm.  Cochran, 
Jno.  McKinly, 
James  McGinley, 
Wm.  Porter. 


LOWER     MARSH     CREEK     CHURCH.         283 

The  Rev.  John  Slemmons  -was  ordained  and  in- 
stalled pastor  of  Lower  Marsh  Creek  congregation 
in  1765,  and  dismissed  in  1774.  lie  was  removed 
by  death,  July  10th,  1814,  and  his  remains  lie  in  the 
graveyard  at  Piney  Creek  Church. 

In  1779,  "the  congregation  of  Lower  Marsh 
Creek  entered  into  an  agreement  with  Mr.  Martin 
for  one  year  of  his  labours,  to  which  agreement  Pres- 
bytery acceded." 

In  1781,  a  supplication  having  been  brought  in 
by  William  Finley  and  James  Ferguson,  commissioners 
from  Lower  Marsh  Creek  congregation,  that  they 
might  have  leave  to  join  with  Thorn's  Creek,  this 
request  was  granted  by  Presbytery. 

The  Reverend  John  M'Knight  (afterwards  Dr. 
M'Knight),  became  pastor  of  this  charge  in  1783,  and 
continued  to  be  so  until  1789,  when  he  accepted  a 
call  from  the  united  congregations  of  New  York  City. 
Dr.  M'Knight  was  a  very  popular  preacher,  and 
greatly  beloved  by  his  people. 

In  1792,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Paxton  accepted  a  call  from 
Lower  Marsh  Creek  and  Thorn's  Creek  congregations, 
and  on  the  3d  of  October  in  the  same  year  (Dr. 
Davidson  and  Mr.  Lang  officiating  on  the  occasion), 
he  was  ordained  and  installed  in  the  woods  near  to 
the  church,  where  a  temporary  pulpit  and  seats  were 
placed  for  the  use  of  the  congregation  which  the 
house  could  not  accommodate,  and  where  the  services, 
on  communion  occasions,  were  for  many  years  after- 
wards held. 


284  SUPPLEMENT. 

In  1794,  the  pastoral  relation  which  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Black  had  sustained  for  some  time  to  the  congregation 
of  Upper  Marsh  Creek,  was  dissolved  by  his  request. 
We  acknowledge  our  obligation  to  the  present 
esteemed  pastor  of  Lower  Marsh  Creek,  for  the 
following  particulars : 

"  To  me  it  seems  that  Lower  Marsh  Creek  Church 
was  formed  by  the  division  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
into  Old  and  New  Side.  Lower  Marsh  Creek  was  New 
Side.  I  have  seen  no  mention,  on  the  minutes  of  Pres- 
bytery, of  Lower  Marsh  Creek,  for  a  long  time  after 
Upper  Marsh  Creek  is  mentioned.  There  is  no  men- 
tion of  the  organization  of  Lower  Marsh  Creek  on 
the  minutes  of  the  Donegal  Presbytery,  as  far  as  I 
remember.  Its  first  minister  was  a  member  of  the 
Newcastle  Presbytery.  It  would  seem  that  it  was 
organized  by  some  minister  of  the  Netu  Side.  As 
far  as  I  can  determine,  Rev.  Andrew  Bay  was  the 
first  minister.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Synod  of 
New  York  during  the  separation."  (Rev.  H.  R. 
Wilson,  D.D.,  to  Rev.  D.  D.  Clarke.) 

"  The  first  house  of  worship  was  a  log  building, 
located  at  the  graveyard,  on  the  bank  of  Lower  Marsh 
Creek.  A  stone  in  the  yard  bears  date,  1749.  It  was 
rude  throughout,  benches  being  used  instead  of  pews. 
While  the  congregation  worshipped  there,  it  was  sup- 
plied for  a  time  by  a  Mr.  Balch. 

^ 'About  the  year  1790,  the  old  log  house  was  thrown 
down,  and  the  present  stone  edifice  erected.  This 
building  is  about  five  miles  southwest  of  Gettysburg, 


LOWER     MARSH     CREEK     CIIURCn.         285 

in  *  Carroll's  Tract,'  a  section  of  country  named 
after  the  venerable  proprietor  and  patriot,  Charles 
Carroll  of  Carrollton.  This  "svas  a  considerable  ad- 
vance in  capacity  and  appearance  on  the  old  log  house, 
yet  it  Avas  unsightly.  The  seats  were  straight  and 
high-backed,  and  the  pulpit  very  narrow  and  deep, 
and  elevated  on  the  side  of  the  building.  It  was  sub- 
sequently placed  at  the  end,  and  somewhat  modern- 
ized. The  entrance  was  by  four  doors,  two  at  each 
end  of  the  house ;  the  door  in  front  of  the  pulpit  was 
paved  with  brick,  and  had  a  gradual  elevation  to  the 
opposite  wall.  There  was  no  stove  or  fire  used  in 
winter,  in  the  log  house,  nor  in  the  present  one,  for 
many  years  after  its  erection. 

"  Lower  Marsh  Creek  Church  was  incorporated  in 
1805.  The  first  trustees  were,  Elijah  Hart,  George 
Kerr,  Reynolds  Ramsay,  Samuel  Witherow,  "William 
Miller,  William  Bigham.  The  Rev.  William  Pax- 
ton,  Benjamin  Reid,  William  M'Clean  and  Moses 
M'Clean,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  carry  out  the 
desire  of  the  congregation  in  reference  to  the  provi- 
sions of  the  charter. 

"  The  names  of  but  few  of  the  first  elders  are  now 
known.  Among  them  were  Mr.  Cotton,  James  Fer- 
guson, James  M'Gaughy,  Benjamin  Reid,  William 
Hill,  AYilliam  M'Clean,  Captain  David  Wilson,  Sa- 
muel Witherow,  Samuel  M'Cullough,  John  M'Ginley, 
Abraham  Scott.  In  later  times,  John  Kerr,  John 
Stewart,  Hugh   M'Gaughy,  Amos  Maginley,  William 


286  SUPPLEMENT. 

M'Gaughy,  William  M.  Scott,  who  have  gone  to 
their  reward,  while  many  of  their  descendants  are  still 
in  the  church  of  their  fathers,  and  some  have  taken 
their  place  in  the  eldership. 

"  From  this  congregation  the  following  persons  have 
entered  the  ministry  :  Samuel  Shannon,  first  lieu- 
tenant of  the  company  of  Captain  David  Wilson,  an 
elder,  and  officer  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution.  Mr. 
Shannon  vrent  to  Kentucky.  John  M'Knight,  one 
of  the  pastors ;  John  Linn  of  Shearman's  Valley  ;  Sa- 
muel Waugh  of  Silvers'  Spring ;  John  Slemmons, 
another  of  its  pastors  ;  Samuel  Ramsey,  who  settled  in 
Virginia  ;  Amos  M'Ginley,  D.D.,  of  Path  Valley ;  H. 
R.  Wilson,  D.D.,  James  Black,  Virginia;  John  Waugh 
(of  John),  John  Waugh  (of  David) ;  Rev.  John 
M'Pherrin  of  West  Pennsylvania,  it  is  believed,  went 
from  this  congregation.  All  of  the  above,  except 
Dr.  M'Ginley  and  Mr.  Black,  have  died.  Several 
of  the  sons  of  those  who  were  pastors  of  this  congre- 
gation are  now  in  the  ministry,  or  preparing  for  it. 
We  here  insert  the  Obituary  of  Dr.  W.  Paxton,  as 
it  is  found  in  the  Presbytery's  Book  of  Obituaries. 

'^  The  Rev.  AYilliam  Paxton,  D.D.,  late  pastor  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Lower  Marsh  Creek, 
died  at  his  late  residence,  in  Fairfield,  Adams  County, 
Pa.,  on  the  16th  day  of  April,  1845,  in  the  86th  year 
of  his  age,  and  in  the  53d  year  of  his  ministry.  He 
was  born  in  Lancaster  County,  on  the  1st  day  of  April, 
1760.  Very  little  is  known  of  his  early  life ;  but  from 
what  is  kuown,  it  appears  that  he  remained  with  his 


LOWER  MARSH  CREEK  CHURCH.    287 

parents  until  he  was  nearly  thirty  years  of  age, 
when  he  commenced  liis  classical  education,  under 
the  superintendence  of  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Sample, 
with  whom,  also,  he  pursued  his  tlieological  studies. 
On  the  29th  day  of  April,  1789,  Dr.  Paxton  was 
received  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  New- 
castle as  a  candidate ;  and  on  the  8th  day  of  April, 
1790,  he  was  licensed  by  the  same  Presbytery,  as  a 
probationer  for  the  Gospel  ministry.  On  the  4th 
day  of  October,  1791,  the  churches  of  Thorn's  Creek 
and  Lower  Marsh  Creek,  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  requested  that  he  might  be  ap- 
pointed a  stated  supply  to  them,  and  the  Presbytery 
of  Newcastle  gave  him  permission  to  preach  to  their 
churches  for  five  successive  Sabbaths.  On  the  21st 
of  December,  1791,  the  churches  of  Thom's  and  Lower 
Marsh  Creek,  presented  calls  to  the  Presbytery  of 
Newcastle  for  the  ministerial  services  of  Dr.  Pax- 
ton  ;  and  on  the  4th  day  of  April,  1792,  he  accepted 
these  calls,  and  was  accordingly  dismissed  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Newcastle,  to  put  himself  under  the 
care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle.  On  the  7th  of 
June,  1792,  he  was  received  under  the  care  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  and  on  the  3d  day  of  October, 
1792,  he  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  Gospel 
Ministry,  and  installed  Pastor  of  the  churches  of 
Thom's  and  Lower  Marsh  Creek. 

*'It  cannot  be  ascertained  how  long  Dr.  Paxton 
was  pastor  of  the  church  at  Thom's  Creek;  but  the 
church  of  Lower  Marsh  Creek,  finding  themselves 


288  SUPPLEMENT. 

able  to  support  him  all  his  time,  received  the  whole 
of  his  ministerial  services  from  an  early  date. 

^'  On  the  20th  day  of  January,  1794,  Dr.  Paxton  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jane  Dunlap,  of  Cum- 
berland County.  This  lady  still  lives,  waiting  for  the 
salvation  of  God.  Dr.  Paxton  had  four  children, 
all  of  whom,  with  one  exception,  preceded  their  father 
to  the  grave. 

"  On  the  19th  day  of  October,  1841,  on  account 
of  the  infirmities  of  age,  Dr.  Paxton  applied  to 
Presbytery  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  connexion  between 
him  and  the  Church  of  Lower  Marsh  Creek ;  which  con- 
nexion, after  having  existed  for  a  period  of  forty-nine 
years,  was  accordingly  dissolved.  It  may  be  proper, 
however,  to  add,  that  Dr.  Paxton  continued  to  supply 
the  Church  of  Lower  Marsh  Creek  occasionally,  until 
they  obtained  their  present  pastor,  so  that  it  may  be 
said  that  that  church  was  favoured  with  his  minis- 
trations for  more  than  half  a  century.  It  is  worthy 
of  remark,  also,  that  during  the  forty-nine  years  of 
his  pastoral  life.  Dr.  Paxton  rarely,  if  ever,  disap- 
pointed his  people,  by  a  failure  in  attendance  upon 
the  duties  of  the  sanctuary.  No  inclemency  of  wea- 
ther ever  prevented  him  from  being  in  the  house  of 
God  on  the  Sabbath,  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  those 
who  might  not  be  prevented  by  the  same  cause,  from 
attending  upon  his  ministry. 

"  The  early  life  of  Dr.  Paxton  was  somewhat  identi- 
fied with  the  struggles  of  our  country  for  her  national 
independence.     He  served  in  three  campaigns  in  the 


LOWER     MARSH     CREEK     CHURCH.         289 

Revolutionary  AVar,  in  one  of  which  he  was  in  the 
neighbourhood,  during  the  battle  of  Trenton. 

"Although  Dr.  Paxtonhad  not  the  advantage  of  a 
collegiate  education,  still,  by  close  application,  under 
private  tuition,  he  attained  to  a  standing  in  literature, 
science,  and  theology,  rarely  equalled  by  many  who 
have  enjoyed  that  benefit.  Accordingly,  the  Trustees 
of  Dickinson  College,  in  virtue  of  his  attainments  in 
those  acquisitions,  conferred  on  him  the  honorary  de- 
gree of  Doctor  of  Divinity, — a  title  which  in  those  days 
was  far  more  the  reward  of  merit  than  of  favour.  Dr. 
Paxton  was  possessed  of  a  profound  and  discriminat- 
ing intellect.  His  pulpit  performances  bore  ample 
testimony  to  the  extent  and  variety  of  his  acquisitions. 
His  sermons  were  rich  in  thought,  always  exhibiting 
with  great  force  and  plainness  the  fundamental  doc- 
trines of  the  Gospel. 

"  In  his  private  intercourse,  he  was  remarkable  for 
affectionate  simplicity;  he  claimed  no  distinction  above 
the  plainest  individual ;  and  he  seemed  to  be  conscious 
of  no  superiority  to  others,  either  in  understanding  or 
knowledge.  His  habits  were  domestic,  perhaps  to  a 
fault.  The  circle  around  his  own  fireside  was  so  de- 
lightful to  him,  that  he  seldom  sought  enjoyment 
abroad.  His  door  was  always  open  to  his  acquain- 
tances and  friends  ;  he  was  always  particularly  pleased 
with  the  company  of  his  ministerial  brethren,  and  few 
ever  left  his  house  without  feelings  of  gratitude  for 
his  society  and  hospitality.  As  a  Christian,  his  object 
appeared  to  be,  to  cultivate  and  cherish  an  intelligent 


290  SUPPLEMENT. 

piety.  Humble  and  unostentatious  in  his  deportment, 
his  unabating  confidence,  amidst  all  the  dealings  of 
God  with  him,  was  founded  on  the  merits  of  the  bless- 
ed Saviour,  whose  Gospel  he  was  permitted  to  preach 
to  others.  The  venerable  father  is  now  at  rest.  With 
him,  we  trust,  the  agonies  of  dissolving  nature  were 
but  the  prelude  to  eternal  joys.  His  dying  was  but 
the  laying  down  of  mortality  to  put  on  immortality, 
and  He  who  is  the  resurrection  and  the  life,  w^ill 
watch  over  the  sleeping  dust  in  its  repose  in  the  grave, 
and  He  will,  in  his  own  time,  burst  the  bars  of  the  tomb, 
and  that  which  was  born  a  natural,  Avill  be  raised  a 
spiritual  bod}^,  in  angelic  splendour  and  beauty." 

The  Rev.  D.  D.  Clarke,  the  present  pastor  of  Lower 
Marsh  Creek,  was  installed  in  June,  1843. 

The  following  persons  compose  the  Session  at  this 
time :  James  Blythe,  Andrew  Marshall,  John  iMavshall, 
James  Bigham,  R.  Cobean,  John  M'Ginley,  J.  J. 
Kerr,  A.  W.  Maginley, — the  two  first  of  whom  do  not 
act,  by  reason  of  infirmity. 

Recently,  the  house  has  been  thoroughly  remodelled. 
The  improvements  are,  a  new  roof,  floor,  and  pulpit ; 
the  seats  lowered  and  sloped  in  the  back.  Venetian 
blinds  ;  carpeting  ;  vestibule,  with  the  entrance  by  two 
doors  into  the  vestibule  ;  making  it  as  neat  and  com- 
fortable as  most  of  the  country  churches.  The  con- 
gregation, during  the  present  pastorate,  has  suffered 
by  death  and  removals,  but  it  has  received  numerous 
valuable    accessions.     Harmony  prevails  among  its 


C  nunc  II     AT     (lETTYSBUKG.  291 

members  the  attendance  is  good;   and  the  spirit  of 
benevolence  has  greatly  increased. 


CHURCH     AT     GETTYSBURG. 

This  church  "was  originally  known  as  the  "  Upper 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Marsh  Creek."  This  is  the 
name  which  it  bears  in  the  Act  of  Incorporation, 
passed  13th  of  September,  1787.  The  first  pastor  of 
the  congregation  of  whom  any  notice  is  taken  on  the 
records  of  Presbytery,  was  the  Rev.  Mr.  M'Mordie, 
who  resigned  his  charge  about  the  year  1762.  The 
Kev.  Mr.  Black,  who  was  a  successor  of  Mr.  M'Mordie, 
applied  for,  and  obtained  the  dissolution  of  his  pas- 
toral relation  in  1794.  "  Of  his  history,"  writes  the 
present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Johnston,  "  I  cannot 
learn  anything,  excepting  that  tradition  says  he 
formed  and  sustained  a  temperance  society  before 
the  present  temperance  movements  had  a  being." 
It  may  be  here  stated  that  intemperance  was  the 
prevailing  sin  of  the  Church  in  its  early  history  in 
this  country,  and  more  frequently  than  any  other 
called  for  the  exercise  of  discipline. 

The  congregations  of  Upper  Marsh  Creek  and 
Great  Conewago  were  united  in  1798,  and  the  Rev. 
David  M'Conaughy  was  installed  their  pastor  on  the 
8th  day  of  October,  1800.  "  In  that  same  year  the 
formation  of  Adams  into   a  separate   county    took 


292  SUPPLEMENT. 

place,  and  Gettysburg  became  the  county  seat. 
This  town  was  situated  about  three  miles  from  the 
site  of  the  Upper  Marsh  Creek  Church,  and  within 
the  limits  of  that  congregation.  Increasing  in  w^ealth 
and  population,  and  embracing  within  it  a  number  of 
Presbyterian  families,  it  was  deemed  too  important  a 
place  to  be  left  without  the  stated  preaching  of  the 
Gospel  by  Presbyterians.  For  a  time  it  was  supplied 
by  occasional  preaching  by  Dr.  M'Conaughy  himself, 
and  also  by  Dr.  Paxton,  the  talented  and  eloquent 
pastor  of  the  adjacent  church  of  Lower  Marsh  Creek, 
one  or  more  of  the  families  belonging  to  whose  church, 
resided  in  the  town.  After  some  years,  however,  the 
congregation  of  Upper  Marsh  Creek  determined  to 
remove  their  edifice  to  town,  and  in  the  year  1813, 
Dr.  M'Conaughy  preached  his  last  sermon  in  the  old 
church,  previous  to  its  demolition.  From  various 
causes  the  new  edifice  was  not  ready  for  occupancy 
for  several  years.  In  the  mean  time,  the  congregation 
were  kindly  allowed  the  use  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church,  then  vacant,  until  a  pastor  should  be  procured. 
Afterwards  they  w^orshipped  in  the  court-house,  until 
the  completion  of  their  edifice.  In  the  month  of 
August,  1816,  the  house,  having  been  completed,  was 
solemnly  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  the  Triune  God. 
The  congregation  still  retained  its  original  chartered 
name  of  '  Upper  Marsh  Creek,'  and  still  remained 
in  union  with  Great  Conewago,  under  the  same  pas- 
toral care  as  before.  In  these  united  congregations 
Dr.    M'Conaughy   continued,    in   the   faithful    and 


CHURCH     AT    GETTYSBURG.  293 

acceptable  discharge  of  liis  ministerial  duties,  until 
the  spring  of  1832,  when  he  was  dismissed,  at  his 
own  request,  to  connect  himself  with  the  Presbytery 
of  Washington,  within  the  bounds  of  which  he  intended 
to  reside,  as  President  of  Washington  College." 

From  the  same  source  to  which  we  are  indebted 
for  the  extract  just  given,  we  derive  the  following 
condensed  sketch  of  Dr.  M'Conaughy's  history  and 
character.* 

The  Rev.  David  M'Conaughy  was  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  born  in  Menallen  Township, 
York  County  (now  Adams),  about  six  miles  from 
Gettysburg,  on  the  29th  of  September,  1775.  His 
collegiate  education  he  received  at  Dickinson  College, 
Carlisle,  where  he  was  graduated  on  the  30th  day  of 
September,  1795,  during  the  presidency  of  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Charles  Nisbet.  He  had  the  Latin  Salutatory 
assigned  him,  which,  according  to  the  usage  of  the 
institution,  at  that  time,  was  considered  the  first 
honour.  After  leaving  college,  he  remained  two 
years  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Nathan 
Grier,  of  BrandyAvine,  in  the  prosecution  of  his  theo- 
logical studies,  when,  on  the  5th  day  of  October, 
1797,  he  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  New- 
castle to  preach  the  Gospel. 

On  the  8th  day  of  October,  1800,  he  was  ordained 

*  A  discourse  commemorative  of  the  late  Rev.  David  M'Co- 
naughy, D.D.,  L.L.D.,  by  the  Rev.  David  Elliott,  D.D.,  preached 
March  21,1852. 

25* 


294  SUPPLEMENT. 

and  installed  pastor  of  the  united  cliurclies  of  Upper 
Marsh  Creek  and  Great  Conewago. 

Dr.  M'Conaughy  Tvatched  over  his  flock  with  a 
shepherd's  care,  and  was  ever  ready  to  bestow  his 
labour  and  exert  his  influence  for  the  advancement, 
not  only  of  their  spiritual,  but  also  of  their  temporal 
interests.  He  was  the  pioneer  in  the  temperance 
reform  in  his  native  county.  Preparatory  to  the 
formation  of  a  society,  and  Avith  a  view  of  gaining 
access  to  all  classes,  he  appointed  meetings  to  be  held 
in  the  court-house  in  the  evenings,  at  which  he  read 
the  temperance  essays  of  Drs.  Rush,  Beecher,  and 
others.  Through  his  agency  the  first  temperance 
society  in  Adams  County  was  formed,  of  which  he 
was  elected  the  first  president. 

On  the  9th  of  May,  1832,  Dr.  M'Conaughy  was 
inaugurated  as  President  of  "Washington  College. 
The  number  of  students  at  the  time  of  his  accession, 
was  one  hundred  and  nineteen.  Under  his  mild  and 
paternal  administration,  the  number  continued  to 
increase,  and  every  year  added  to  the  strength  and 
reputation  of  the  institution,  in  the  minds  of  intelli- 
gent and  well-informed  men. 

On  the  1st  of  October,  1849,  Dr.  M'Conaughy 
tendered  his  resignation  of  the  presidency  to  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  by  whom,  after  they  had  ascer- 
tained that  his  purpose  to  retire  was  immovably  fixed, 
it  was  accepted.  The  high  respect  and  veneration 
entertained  for  him  by  the  Board  of  Trustees,  were 
indicated  by  the  strongly  expressive  resolutions  which 


CHURCH     AT     GETTYSBURG.  295 

tverc  passed  immediately  upon  the  acceptance  of  his 
resignation. 

Dr.  M'Conaughy,  after  the  dissolution  of  his  con- 
nexion with  the  college,  pursued  his  mental  labours 
■with  his  accustomed  activity.  As  evidence  of  this, 
during  the  next  year  after  his  resignation,  he  pre- 
pared and  published  a  volume  of  "Discourses,  chiefly 
Biographical,  of  Persons  eminent  in  Sacred  His- 
tory." These  are  admirable  discourses, — "  fine  speci- 
mens of  discriminating  thought,  lucid  arrangement, 
vigorous  style,  and  the  skilful  and  profitable  exhibition 
of  sacred  truth." 

In  the  year  1838,  he  published,  for  the  exclusive 
use  of  <he  senior  class  in  AVashington  College,  "A 
brief  Summary  and  Outline  of  the  Principal  Subjects 
comprehended  in  Moral  Science."  This  is  a  compre- 
hensive and  well-digested  outline,  which,  it  is  to  be 
regretted,  he  did  not  fill  up,  and  thus  have  furnished 
our  colleges  with  a  convenient  and  religious  text-book 
on  that  subject.  His  other  publications  consist  of 
some  half  dozen  sermons,  and  a  few  of  his  Bacca- 
laureate Addresses.  These  are  all  written  with  his 
accustomed  ability,  and  were  well  adapted  to  the  oc- 
casion and  circumstances  which  severally  called  them 
forth.  Since  his  decease,  a  couple  of  tracts  from  his 
pen  have  been  issued  from  the  press, — one  on  the 
Doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  and  the  other  on  the  Salvation 
of  Infants. 

Of  Dr.  M'Conaughy 's  early  religious  experience, 
and   his  first  introduction  into  the  kingdom  of  God 


296  SUPPLEMENT. 

we  have  no  knowledge,  but  that  he  was  a  man  of  emi- 
nent piety  towards  God,  no  one  acquainted  with  his 
character  can  entertain  a  doubt.  His  piety  was 
intelligent,  of  a  confiding  character,  cheerful,  and 
eminently  spiritual. 

He  died  at  his  residence  in  Washington,  on  Thurs- 
day, the  29th  of  January,  1852,  in  the  seventy- 
seventh  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-fifth  of  his 
ministry. 

The  Rev.  James  C.  Watson,  D.D.,  in  June,  1832, 
became  the  successor  of  Dr.  M'Conaughy  in  the 
churches  of  Gettysburg  and  Great  Conewago,  and 
continued  to  be  their  pastor  until  August,  1849,  when 
he  resigned,  and  the  churches  Avere  separated.  The 
Rev.  Robert  Johnston  entered  upon  his  labours  as 
Pastor  at  Gettysburg,  in  January,  1850. 

The  names  of  the  present  elders  of  this  congre- 
gation, are,  George  Arnold,  Moses  McLean,  Nicholas 
Randolph,  James  M'Alister,  Hugh  Denwiddie,  Robert 
G.  M'Creary. 

The  present  church  edifice  in  Gettysburg,  which  is 
large  and  beautiful,  was  erected  in  1842. 


CHURCHES    AT    BEDFORD    AND    SCHELLSBURG. 

Bedford  County,  originally  part  of  Cumberland 
County,  was  established,  March  9th,  17T1.  It  then 
included  the  entire  southwestern  part  of  the  State. 


BEDFORD     AND     SC  II  ELLS  BURG.  297 

The  establishment  of  Westmoreland  in  1773,  of  Hunt- 
ingdon in  '87,  and  Somerset  in  '95,  and  Fulton  in 
1850,  reduced  it  to  its  present  limits. 

Bedford,  the  county  seat,  has,  in  addition  to  a 
Presbyterian  church,  churches  for  German  Reformed 
and  Lutheran,  Methodist,  and  Catholic  congrega- 
tions. 

The  Presbyterian  interest  in  this  borough  and  the 
circumjacent  region,  was  watched  over  by  supplies 
from  Presbytery,  from  1763  until  about  the  year 
1782,  when,  as  the  Records  of  Presbytery  show,  there 
was  a  congregation  in  existence  of  sufficient  ability 
to  call  a  pastor.  This  call  was  given  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  \yaugh,  and  contained  an  agreement  on  the  part 
of  the  congregation,  that  if  Mr.  "VY.  should  become 
their  pastor,  his  time  should  be  divided,  as  follows : 
one-fourth  in  Provide'nce  Township,  five  Sabbaths  in 
the  year  in  Colerain  Township  and  Cumberland  Val- 
ley, and  the  remainder  in  the  town  of  Bedford.  This 
call  was  not  accepted. 

In  1786,  a  call  from  this  congregation  was  given 
to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bard,  who  consented  to  settle  as 
pastor,  and  continued  in  this  relation  until  the 
autumn  of  1789.  After  this,  the  con2jreo;ation  was 
supplied  by  appointments  of  Presbytery,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Bard,  also,  frequently  officiating  for  it,  until  1808, 
when  the  Rev.  Alexander  Boyd  accepted  the  Pastor- 
ate of  the  church,  which  he  retained  until  1815.  The 
ruling  elders  of  an  early  date,  were,  James  Taylor, 
Sr.,  David  Anderson,  David  Riddle,  John  Reynolds, 


298  SUPPLEMENT. 

William  Reynolds,  and  John  Ritchey.  Mr.  Boyd 
preached  at  his  settlement,  in  the  old  court-house, 
and  during  his  incumbency  (1810)  the  first  church 
edifice  was  erected. 

The  next  Pastor  at  Bedford,  was  the  Rev.  Jeremiah 
Chamberlain,  a  native  of  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania. 
Mr.  C.  took  charge  of  the  church  in  1819,  and  re- 
signed his  post  in  1822,  to  accept  an  invitation,  which, 
at  the  early  age  of  twenty-seven,  he  had  received,  to 
the  Presidency  of  Centre  College,  Danville,  Ken- 
tucky. The  following  extract  in  relation  to  him,  from 
a  discourse  on  his  life  and  character  by  the  Rev. 
Joseph  B.  Stratton,  on  the  occasion  of  his  death  as  a 
victim  of  murder,  in  1851,  whilst  President  of  Oak- 
land College,  will  be  read  with  interest. 

"  That  his  character  was  no  ordinary  one,  the  his- 
tory of  his,  achievements  sufficiently  indicates.  His 
intellectual  endowments  and  acquirements,  without 
being  brilliant  or  profound,  were  such  as  qualified  him 
to  be  a  ready  and  clear-sighted  student,  and  an  able 
and  perspicuous  instructor.  His  life  was  too  crowded 
with  extraneous  duties  to  allow  him  the  opportunity 
to  seek  the  scholastic  eminence,  which  otherwise  would 
have  been  easily  accessible  to  him.  It  w\i3  rather 
as  the  man  of  practical  energy,  of  high-toned  loyalty 
to  principle,  of  self-possessed  sobriety,  of  forethought 
and  farsightedness,  of  fertility  of  invention  and  aptness 
in  execution,  of  firmness  tempered  by  suavity,  of 
strict  uprightness  and  disinterested  devotion  to  what- 
ever his  heart  and  conscience  approved,  it  is  rather 


BEDFORD    AND     SCHELLSBURG.  299 

as  the  }3aternal  counsellor,  the  warm-hearted  friend, 
the  cheerful  companion,  the  sincere  and  simple 
preacher,  with  the  clear  doctrine  of  Scripture  ever  on 
his  lip,  and  the  tear  of  emotion  often  in  his  eye,  as 
the  comforter  in  sorrow,  and  the  helping  brother  to 
all  who  asked  his  sympathy  or  aid — it  is  in  such  cha- 
racters as  these,  that  Dr.  Chamberlain  won  distinc- 
tion, and  merited  all  he  won." 

Dr.  Chamberlain's  successor  at  Bedford  was  the 
Rev.  Daniel  M'Kinley,  who  accepted  the  call  given 
him  in  1827,  and  resigned  his  pastoral  relation  in 
1831,  on  account  of  the  delicate  state  of  his  health, 
which  unfitted  him  for  the  discharge  of  duty. 

Mr.  McKinlcy  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Baynard 
R.  Hall,  who  served  the  congregation  about  six  years ; 
the  Rev.  Elbridge  Bradbury,  whose  pastoral  relation, 
formed  in  1839,  was  dissolved  in  1841 ;  the  Rev. 
Alexander  Heberton,  who  was  installed  in  1843,  and 
resigned  in  1845  ;  and  the  Rev.  William  Maclay  Hall, 
who  was  pastor  for  several  years.  AVhen  Mr.  Hall 
was  released  from  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church,  on 
account  of  increasing  infirmities,  which,  not  long 
after,  terminated  by  death  the  life  which  he  had  de- 
voted to  the  self-denying  toils  of  the  ministry,  by 
renouncing  a  lucrative  practice  of  the  Law,  the  pul- 
pit was  supplied  for  a  length  of  time  by  the  Rev. 
William  L.  McCalla,  during  which  period  the  Schells- 
burg  and  Bedford  churches  were  united  by  Presby- 
tery in  one  charge.  In  1850,  Mr.  Thomas  K.  Davis,  a 
licentiate,  supplying  the   pulpit   of    the   church  at 


300  S  U  P  P  L  E  M  E  N  T. 

Fayetteville,  was  called  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the 
Bedford  and  Schellsburg  churches. 

With  the  following  data  we  have  been  kindly  fur- 
nished by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Davis. 

*'  The  old  building  in  Bedford  was  torn  down  about 
the  year  1828,  to  give  place  to  a  more  comfortable 
edifice.  This  building  is  of  brick,  and  handsomely 
situated  on  the  public  square.  It  will  accommodate 
500  persons.  The  room  in  the  basement  is  used  for 
a  lecture  and  Sabbath-school  room.  The  building, 
although  in  many  respects  commodious  and  fine-look- 
ing, contains  the  lofty  pulpit,  and  high-backed  box- 
like pews  of  ancient  times.  The  spirit  of  modern  im- 
provement will,  doubtless,  ere  long  lower  the  pulpit, 
and  give  a  comfort  to  the  seats  which  they  now 
lack. 

"  The  congregation  have  a  large  and  conveniently 
situated  burying-ground,  not  far  from  the  church. 
They  have  never  as  yet  secured  a  parsonage. 

"  The  church  numbers  eighty-four  communicating 
members  at  the  present  time.  There  are  but  two 
ruling  elders,  Mr.  James  Rea,  Sr.,  and  John  Mower, 
Esq. 

"  In  May,  1833,  Mr.  James  Taylor,  Sr.,  and  thirty- 
eight  other  members  of  the  Bedford  Church,  made  ap- 
plication and  were  organized  as  the  Church  of  Schells- 
burg. The  Rev.  James  G.  Brackenridge  was  their 
first  pastor.  The  memory  of  this  devoted  man  is 
revered  by  the  people,  and  the  sudden  and  untimely 
death  of  their  young  minister  and  his  excellent  wife, 


THE    CHURCH    AT    SCII  E  L  LS  B  U  RG.         301 

when  on  a  visit  to  their  friends  near  Taneytown,  Md., 
is  still  deplored.  James  Taylor,  Sr.,  and  Benjamin 
Gibbony,  were  the  first  ruling  elders.  The  church 
building  which  is  now  used,  was  erected  about  the 
year  1835.  It  cost  nearly  $2200.  It  is  pleasantly 
situated,  has  a  neat  appearance,  and  will  accommo- 
date about  400  persons. 

"  The  pastors  who  succeeded  Mr.  Brackenridge 
were,  theBev.  Messrs.  Samuel  Montgomery,  David  D. 
Clark,  and  Geo.  S.  Inglis.  In  1848,  this  church  was 
connected  with  that  of  Bedford,  in  receiving  the  ser- 
vices of  Mr.  M'Calla;  and  in  1850,  the  present  pastor 
of  the  Bedford  Church  was  installed  pastor  of  the 
Schellsburg  charge. 

^'  Apart  of  the  Schellsburg  congregation  now  wor- 
ship statedly  in  a  sanctuary  of  their  own,  recently  built 
near  ^  The  Forks,'  about  equally  distant  from  Bed- 
ford and  Schellsburg.  '  The  Stone  Church'  was 
commenced  during  Mr.  Inglis's  time,  and  finished 
in  1851.  It  is  beautifully  situated  at  the  western 
base  of  Will's  Mountain,  on  the  banks  of  the  Rays- 
town  Branch,  and  is  an  interesting  and  encourag- 
ing field  of  labour. 

"  The  Schellsburg  Church  now  numbers  one  hundred 
members  more  than  the  parent  church,  which  sent 
out  the  colony  in  1833.  The  elders  at  present  are, 
Messrs.  James  Taylor,  Jr.,  John  Smith,  George  W. 
Hunt,  Robert  M.  Taylor,  and  James  Mullin. 

"With  the  exception  of  two  small  congregations  in 
Wells' Valley,  and  at  Green  Hill,  under  the  care  of  the 
26 


302  SUPPLEMENT. 

Rev.  Mr.  White,  and  another  on  Yellow  Creek,  minis- 
tered to  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hill,  of  the  Huntingdon 
Presbytery,  these  are  the  only  Presbyterian  congre- 
gations in  the  county.  We  have  Romanists  in  Har- 
man's  Bottom,  that  dark  corner  of  Bedford  County, 
Hicksites  in  the  '  Quaker  Settlement,'  north  of 
Schellsburg,  and  Unitarian  Baptists  of  the  Christian 
connexion,  in  different  parts,  with  multitudes  of  people 
in  various  sections,  who  are  very,  very  destitute  of 
Gospel  blessings.  If  our  Presbytery  were  not  ^o  far- 
sighted  as  to  bestow  their  attention  on  distant  parts 
of  the  land  and  on  other  continents,  overlooking  the 
home  field,  which  is  full  of  interest  and  full  of  impor- 
tance, we  would  have  a  missionary  or  two  preaching 
sound  doctrine  and  holy  living,  among  the  wild  moun- 
tains and  in  the  pleasant  valleys  of  old  Bedford 
County." 


THE   CHURCHES   CE    M  CONNELLSBURG,    GREEN    HILL, 
AND  wells'  valley. 

It  is  with  the  Church  of  M'Connellsburg,  as  with 
most  of  the  other  churches  of  the  Presbyf^ry, — no  re- 
cords of  its  early  history  can  be  found.  The  proba- 
bility is,  that  no  such  records  were  kept ;  but  if  they 
were,  they  have  perished.  It  is,  however,  evident 
from  the  minutes  of  Presbytery,  that  "  The  Great 


CHURCH     OF    M'CONNELL.SBUR(i.  303 

Cove,"  (as  the  place  -was  first  called,)  was  a  point  fre- 
quently supplied  with  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  by 
appointment  of  Presbytery,  as  far  back,  at  least,  as 
1769.  There  are  also  still  living  within  the  bounds 
of  the  congregation,  some  aged  members  of  it,  whose 
memories  are  of  service  in  rescuing  its  history  from 
oblivion.  From  this  source,  the  Rev.  N.  G.  White, 
the  present  pastor  of  the  charge,  received  aid  in  the 
preparation  of  the  subjoined  satisfactory  sketch. 

"  The  congregation  now  worshipping  in  the  Presby- 
terian church  in  the  Borough  ofM'Conncllsburg,  was 
organized  some  time  before  the  year  1701.  I  know 
not  the  precise  date.  It  was  called  the  'Presbyterian 
Congregation  of  the  Great  Cove.'  Its  first  ciders  were 
William  Alexander,  William  Gafi^,  and  Charles  Tag- 
gart.  To  their  number  were  added  shortly  after- 
wards, Alexander  Alexander  (familiarly  known  as 
*  Double  Alick'),  and  James  White.  They  worshipped 
for  some  time  in  private  houses,  mostly  in  that  of 
John  Dickey,  who  was  an  Associate  Judge  of  Bedford 
County  nearly  fifty  years,  and  was  one  of  the  first 
and  most  efficient  members  of  the  congregation.  It 
was  owing  chiefly  to  Judge  Dickey's  instrumentality, 
that  a  small  log  church  was  built,  about  two  miles 
south  of  the  town,  which  continued  to  be  occupied  as  a 
house  of  worship  until  the  present  edifice  was  erected, 
in  the  year  1811.  A  Mr.  Barclay,  a  Scotchman  and 
member  of  the  congregation,  left  by  will  $500  towards 
the  erection  of  a  church  in  the  town.  This  sum,  to- 
gether with  subscriptions  of  various  sorts  from  diffe- 


304  SUPPLEMENT. 

rent  members  of  the  congregation,  enabled  them  to 
put  up  the  present  building.  It  continued  (though 
occupied  all  the  while)  in  an  unfinished  state  for  four 
or  five  years,  when  a  pulpit,  pews,  and  other  fixtures 
were  added,  putting  it  in  the  state  in  which  I  found 
it  when  I  first  visited  this  place. 

"  Its  first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Isaac  Kellar,  who  was 
settled  here  in  the  year  1818,  and  remained  about 
five  years  as  minister  of  the  congregations  of  M'Con- 
nellsburg  and  Loudon.  After  his  removal,  a  Mr. 
Jewett,  from  one  of  the  New  England  States,  came 
and  established  an  Independent  church,  which  greatly 
distracted  the  Presbyterian  congregation.  They, 
however,  obtained  occasional  supplies  for  several  years 
after  which  the  late  Rev.  Robert  Kennedy,  of  the 
Welsh  Run  Church,  was  their  stated  supply,  till  the 
fall  of  1833.  During  the  winter  of  1833-4, 1  preached 
to  them ;  in  the  spring  following  received  and  accepted 
their  call,  and  was  ordained  and  installed  on  the  11th 
of  June,  1834.  Perhaps  I  may  say  here,  that  I  was 
licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Newcastle,  on  the  2d  of 
October,  1833-  The  call  to  me  included  not  only 
the  Church  of  M'Connellsburg,  but  certain  inhabi- 
tants of  Green  Hill,  and  Wells'  Valley,  each  of  which 
is  supplied  with  a  comfortable  and  neat  church,  in 
which  I  preach  every  four  weeks.  The  Session  of  the 
church  in  town,  is  at  present  composed  of  James  Ag- 
new,  John  Jordan,  Henry  Hoke,  and  David  Agnew. 

"■  The  Church  at  Green  Hill  was  organized  on  the 
12th  day  of  September,  1835,  consisting  of  twenty-one 


GREEN     HILL     AND     WELLS'     VALLEY.    305 

members,  and  John  Jordan  was  elected  and  ordained 
a  ruling  elder.  During  the  summer  of  that  year,  they 
put  up  a  neat  frame  church,  in  which  they  still  con- 
tinue to  worship.  The  Session  of  that  church  is  at 
present  composed  of  James  Austin,  and  James  Lyon. 
William  Alexander  and  Roland  Austin  have  been  re- 
cently elected  elders,  and  will  be  ordained  in  a  few 
weeks. 

"  The  Church  in  "Wells'  Valley,  which  is  twenty 
miles  west  of  M'Connellsburg,  never  was  formally  or- 
ganized. It  is  composed  chiefly  of  the  descendants 
of  Alexander  Alexander  ('  Double  Alick',  referred  to 
above),  who  was  a  member  of  the  Church  in  town,  and 
whose  son  John  was  chosen  an  elder,  and  served  with 
great  acceptance  in  that  capacity,  until  his  death  in 
1840.  This  John  Alexander  was  in  every  respect  a 
model  of  a  good  elder.  He  was  one  of  the  best  men 
I  ever  knew.  And  though  so  modest  and  retiring  in 
his  disposition  and  habits,  as  to  attract  but  little  notice 
beyond  the  narrow  circle  of  his  acquaintance,  yet 
few  ministers  of  the  Gospel  of  the  present  day  possess 
as  accurate  a  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  and  of 
Systematic  and  Polemic  Theology,  as  he  did.  He 
could  repeat  verbatim,  nearly  all  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, and  more  than  one-half  of  the  old.  The 
Bible  was  his  daily  study  for  half  a  century,  he 
imbibed  its  spirit,  and  he  was  truly  '  clothed  with 
humility.'  No  man  that  ever  lived  in  this  section 
of  the  country,  possessed  so  strongly  the  confi- 
dence of  the  community,  as  a  man  of  honesty,  inte- 
26* 


306  SUPPLEMENT. 

grity,  and  true  piety.  Truly  '  the  memory  of  the 
just  is  blessed.'  The  elders  of  this  church  are,  John 
VVishart  and  John  B.  Alexander. 

"  There  are  about  one  hundred  and  forty  communi- 
cating members  in  the  Church  in  M'Connellsburg, 
about  fifty  at  Green  Hill,  and  about  forty  in  Wells' 
Valley, — making  two  hundred  and  thirty  in  the  whole 
charge." 


CHURCH  AT  CUMBERLAND,  MARYLAND. 

We  have  been  favoured  with  the  following  sketch 
by  the  Rev.  John  H.  Symmes. 

"We  have  no  record  among  us  of  the  date  of  the 
organization  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Cumber- 
land, Md.,  but  it  is  certain  that  there  was  preaching 
here  occasionally,  by  supplies,  from  the  beginning  of 
the  present  century.  The  congregation  was  small 
and  feeble  for  many  years,  struggling,  as  it  were,  for 
a  mere  existence.  Among  those  who  ministered  in 
holy  things  to  this  feeble  church,  at  different  times, 
were  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Hays,  Kennedy,  Raymond,  and 
S.  H.  M'Donald.  During  the  time  that  Messrs.  Hays, 
Kennedy,  and  Raymond  laboured  here,  the  church  was 
able  to  do  very  little  towards  the  support  of  a  pastor. 
Messrs.  Hays  and  Kennedy  were  successively  princi- 
pals of  the  Allegany  County  Academy,  in  which 
they  taught  for  many  years.     From  this  source  they 


CHURCH    AT    CUMBERLAND,     M  D.         307 

derived  their  principal  support,  and  it  is  probable  ex- 
pended upon  it  their  principal  labours.  Mr.  Ray- 
mond, at  a  later  date,  laboured  a  part  of  his  time  in 
Cumberland  as  a  missionary,  and  was  aided  from  the 
Missionary  Fund.  The  Presbyterians  in  Cumberland, 
for  many  years  had  no  place  of  worship  of  their  own, 
but  worshipped  alternately  in  the  Lutheran  church. 

"  In  connexion  with  the  Episcopalians,  they  at  one 
time  erected  a  house  of  worship,  under  an  agreement, 
that  each  denomination  should  have  the  right  to  wor- 
ship in  it  alternately,  according  to  their  respective 
forms.  But  in  process  of  time,  the  Presbyterians 
were  denied  their  interest  and  privileges  in  the  build- 
ing ;  and  the  Episcopalians  very  unjustly  appropria- 
ted the  entire  property  to  their  own  use.  Had  the 
Presbyterians  appealed  to  Caesar  to  avenge  them  of 
their  adversary,  the  Episcopalians  would  doubtless 
have  been  compelled  to  abide  by  the  terms  of  the 
agreement,  and  restore  to  the  others  their  privilege, 
or  its  equivalent.  But  the  Presbyterians,  as  usual  in 
such  cases,  chose  rather  to  suffer  wrong. 

"  In  the  year  1838,  they  erected  a  house  of  worship 
for  themselves,  45  by  5o  feet,  with  a  gallery  in  the 
end,  and  surmounted  by  a  small  cupola  and  a  bell.  At 
this  time,  they  were  efficiently  aided  by  the  indefati- 
gable efforts  and  labours  of  the  Rev.  S.  H.  M'Donald, 
who  for  the  space  of  five  or  six  years  acted  as  their 
stated  supply.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  B. 
"Wall,  who  was  installed  as  the  first  regular  pastor  of 
this  church,  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  July,  1843. 


308  SUPPLEMENT. 

The  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Symmes,  after 
labouring  here  from  December,  1844,  until  the  9th 
of  April,  1845,  was  on  that  day  installed  as  pastor  of 
the  church,  by  a  committee  of  the  Presbytery.  The 
congregation  having  increased  so  that  the  building 
was  too  small  for  their  accommodation,  in  the 
autumn  of  1846,  an  addition  of  18  feet  was  made  to 
the  rear,  and  a  lecture  and  Sunday  school-room,  26 
by  36  feet,  mostly  in  the  rear  of  the  church  edifice  as 
altered.  In  1846,  the  number  of  communicants  was 
thirty-five ;  they  now  number  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty.  The  present  ruling  elders  are,  John  Boward, 
James  M.  Smith,  M.D,  J.  P.  Agnew,  and  Abraham 
Russell." 


HAGERSTOWN   CHURCH. 

The  first  pastor  of  this  church,  as  far  as  we  can 
learn,  was  the  Rev.  Thomas  M'Pherrin.  How  long 
precisely,  he  was  connected  with  it  in  this  character, 
we  do  not  know ;  but,  as  we  find  in  the  minutes  of 
the  Presbytery  of  1774,  a  notice  of  his  acceptance  of 
a  call  from  the  united  congregations  of  East  and 
West  Conococheague  and  Jerusalem,  and  then  in  the 
minutes  of  1779,  a  notice  of  the  dissolution  of  his 
pastoral  relation  to  the  people  of  Hagerstown,  it  is 
evident  that  his  connexion  with  that  congregation 
was  of  short  duration. 


II  A  (J  ERST  OWN    CHURCH.  309 

In  1788,  in  compliance  with  a  supplication  from 
Falling  AVaters,  Ilagerstown,  and  Williamsport,  tlie 
Rev.  Mr.  Caldwell  was  appointed  by  Presbytery 
^'as  a  constant  supply  for  those  places  for  one  year." 

In  September,  1825,  the  Rev.  M.  L.  Fullerton  was 
installed  as  pastor  of  the  church  in  Ilagerstown,  on 
which  occasion  the  Rev.  Mr.  Elliott  preached  the 
sermon  from  1  Thess.  ii.  4,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Paxton 
presided,  offered  up  the  consecrating  prayer,  and 
delivered  the  charges. 

The  pastoral  relation  of  the  Rev.  Richard  Wyn- 
koop,  which  had  existed  for  four  years,  was  dissolved 
by  Presbytery  in  April,  1838. 

The  Rev.  J.  T.  Marshall  Davie  was  installed  pastor 
of  the  congregations  of  Greencastle  and  Hagerstown, 
in  October,  1840,  and  his  connexion  with  the  latter 
congregation,  was  dissolved  in  1842. 

Mr.  William  Love,  a  licentiate  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Baltimore,  was  called  to  the  church  of  Hagerstown, 
in  1845.  At  the  same  time,  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church  of  that  place  was  taken  under  the  care  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  as  ^^  The  Second  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Hagerstown." 

In  1846,  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  and  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Hagerstown,  were,  by  a  reso- 
lution of  Presbytery,  and  on  their  own  request, 
united,  to  be  known  as  "  The  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Hagerstown,"  the  name  by  which  it  was  desig- 
nated prior  to  the  separation.  In  the  same  year  Mr. 
Love's  labours  among  his  people  ceased,  and  he  was 
dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Winchester,  Va. 


310  SUPPLEMENT. 

The  Rev.  Septimus  Tustin,  who  had  for  several 
years  served  as  Chaplain  to  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  was  elected  pastor  at  Hagerstown  in  1848, 
and  served  in  this  capacity  until  1850.  Dr.  Tustin 
afterwards  settled  in  Germantown,  near  Philadel- 
phia, and  now,  having  temporarily  desisted  from  pas- 
toral labour,  by  reason  of  indifferent  health,  is  residing 
with  his  son  in  Washington  City. 

The  Rev.  Robert  W.  Dunlap,  who  previously  had 
charge  of  a  church  in  Baltimore,  was  Dr.  Tustin's 
successor  at  Hagerstown,  and  still  labours  among  his 
attached  people  with  encouraging  success. 

The  building  in  which  the  congregation  now  wor- 
ship, was  the  first  used  by  them,  and  was  first  occu- 
pied in  July,  1817.  Previous  to  that  time,  the  con- 
gregation worshipped  in  the  German  Reformed 
Church.  The  church  was  built  by  subscription.  A 
list  of  the  subscribers  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Session^ 
and  embraces  the  names  of  nearly  all  the  citizens  of 
the  town  and  surrounding  country. 

The  first  Bench  of  Elders  were — John  Kennedy, 
Robert  Douglass,  John  Robertson,  Joseph  Gabby. 
The  present  Session  consists  of  Joseph  Gabby,  Samuel 
Steele,  William  Stewart,  William  Marshall,  Joseph 
Rench,  and  James  M'Dowell. 

The  Church  at  Hagerstown  has  passed  through 
some  stormy  scenes,  but  its  present  condition  is 
peaceful  and  prosperous. 


cnuRcii   AT  Sherman's   creek.      311 


SHERMAN'S   CREEK. 

The  following  sketch  of  this  congregation,  is  from 
the  pen  of  the  Rev.  M.  B.  Patterson,  its  stated 
supply  : 

"The  early  history  of  the  -  Sherman's  Creek  con- 
gregation, is  involved  in  considerable  uncertainty  as 
to  dates,  from  a  want  of  authentic  records.  It  can, 
at  present,  be  learned  only  from  the  diverse  and 
sometimes  contradictory  testimony,  gathered  from  the 
fading  memories  of  a  few  of  the  most  aged  members. 

"  It  appears  that  towards  the  end  of  the  last  cen- 
tury, a  few  Presbyterian  ministers  had  visited  this 
region,  of  whom  nothing  more  is  remembered  than 
their  names,  which  were  Rev.  Messrs.  Boyd,  Porter, 
and  Hoge. 

"About  the  beginning  of  the  present  century,  sup- 
plies were  sent  to  this  section  of  country,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  viz..  Rev.  Messrs.  Sharon, 
Moodey,  Wilson,  and  Brady. 

"  The  majority  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  peaceful 
and  retired  region,  were  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and 
warmly  attached  to  the  doctrines  and  order  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  In  an  early  day,  it  was  no 
uncommon  thing  for  persons  of  both  sexes,  to  travel 
on  foot  from  ten  to  fifteen  miles,  when  an  opportunity 
offered  of  hearing  the  Gospel.  The  names  of  the 
families    are,    Adams,    Boyd,    Finley,    Kirkpatrick, 


312  SUPPLEMENT. 

Ickels,   M'Cord,   M'Clintock,  Smiley,  AVallace,  and 
White. 

"  In  1804,  a  lot  of  ground  was  purchased  and  a 
house  for  public  worship  erected.  Its  dimensions 
were  twenty-eight  feet  square.  The  materials  were 
logs,  which  were  delivered  on  the  ground  by  the 
members  of  the  congregation,  in  fulfilment  of  a  pre- 
vious contract  entered  into  by  subscription.  The 
logs  were  raised  in  1804,  but  the  building  was  not 
finished  till  1805,  owing  to  a  prevailing  disease. 

"  In  the  year  1805,  the  Sherman's  Creek  Church 
was  organized  by  Rev.  Joseph  Brady,  a  member  of 
the  Carlisle  Presbytery,  who  was  regularly  called 
and  installed  their  first  pastor.  His  salary  was  $400, 
one-third  of  which  was  to  be  paid  by  this  congre- 
gation. 

"  The  following  named  persons  composed  its  first 
Session : — John  White,  Samuel  Ickels,  James  Wal- 
lace, and  Samuel  Smiley.  They  all  served  this 
church  in  the  capacity  of  ruling  elders,  till  they  were 
removed  by  death.  There  are  no  means  of  ascer- 
taining at  the  present  time,  the  number  of  communi- 
cants composing  their  first  organization. 

"  Near  the  church  a  burying-ground  was  made,  in 
which  reposes  the  dust  of  many  of  the  early  inhabi- 
tants of  this  region. 

''In  1808,  a  session-house  was  built  of  logs,  which 
is  standing  yet. 

"  This  church  continued  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
Rev.  Joseph  Brady,  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
took  place  April  24,  1821. 


CHURCH   AT   Sherman's   creek.      313 

"Mr.  Brady  was  interred  in  the  burying-ground 
at  the  Mouth  of  Juniata ;  and  the  three  congrega- 
tions, which  he  served  about  twenty  years,  in  token 
of  respect,  erected  at  his  grave  a  suitable  monument. 

"After  the  death  of  Mr.  Brady,  this  church  was 
supplied  by  Rev.  Mr.  Lochrain,  Prof.  M'Clclland, 
of  Dickinson  College,  and  other  supplies  from  Pres- 
bytery, till  November  12, 182G,  when  Rev.  John  Nib- 
lock,  of  the  Northumberland  Presbytery,  was  called 
and  installed  pastor. 

"During  Mr.  Niblock's  time,  the  church  edifice 
was  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  fourteen  feet  of 
frame,  and  the  whole  was  weather-boarded  and  plas- 
tered. 

"April  16,  1829,  the  Sherman's  Creek  Congrega- 
tion was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature. 

"The  pastoral  relation  between  Mr.  Niblock  and 
this  church  w^as  dissolved  by  death,  August  11,  1830. 
Mr.  Niblock  was  buried  in  the  graveyard  at  Middle- 
ridge  Church. 

"Rev.  Matthew  B.  Patterson  supplied  this  church 
from  January  1,  1831,  until  the  22d  of  November 
following,  when  he  was  installed  its  pastor. 

"  In  1833,  the  General  Assembly's  collection  of 
Psalms  and  Hymns  was  introduced. 

"In  1843,  the  present  edifice  was  erected.  The 
materials  are  frame.  The  dimensions  are  28  by  30 
feet.     It  is  located  two  miles  west  of  the  old  site. 

"  The  members  of  the  present  Session  are,  Jesse 
Kirkpatrick,  David  Smiley,  and  Frederick  M'Kasky." 


314  SUPPLEMENT. 


MOUTH    OF   JUNIATA   AND    MILLERSTOWN. 

The  present  pastor  of  these  churches,  has  kindly 
furnished  us  Avith  the  following  information : 

"  The  church  at  the  Mouth  of  the  Juniata,  was 
organized  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Brady,  A.  D.  1804,  who 
was  ordained  by  the  Carlisle  Presbytery,  Oct.  3, 1804. 
The  church  edifice  (which  was  the  first  in  this  region), 
was  erected  in  1804.  The  first  elders  of  this  church 
were,  Isaac  Kirkpatrick,  John  Woodburn,  William 
Patterson,  and  George  M'Ginnes.  Mr.  Kirkpatrick 
is  the  only  one  of  the  first  elders,  now  living  in  the 
bounds  of  this  congregation.  This  church  continued 
under  the  care  of  Mr.  Brady  till  his  death,  which 
took  place  April  24th,  1821. 

From  this  period  it  -was  supplied  with  the  word 
and  ordinances,  by  Messrs.  Lochrain,  Tod,  and  other 
persons  appointed  by  Presbytery,  till  Rev.  John 
Niblock  was  installed  its  pastor,  Nov.  21,  1826.  In 
1826,  Wm.  Irwin,  John  Hearst,  Samuel  Willis,  James 
Wilson,  Jacob  Steel,  and  Robert  Galey,  were  elected 
and  ordained  elders. 

This  congregation  was  incorporated  by  the  Legisla- 
ture, during  the  session  of  1828-9. 

Mr.  Niblock  died  Aug.  11,  1830. 

Rev.  M.  B.  Patterson,  who  was  received  by  the 
Carlisle  Presbytery,  Sept.  27,  1831,  supplied  this 
church  from  Jan.  1st,  1831,  till  the  following Novem- 


MOUTJI    OF    JUNIATA.  815 

ber  22cl,  when  he  was  installed  its  pastor.  The  pas- 
toral relation  was  dissolved  in  1844  or  '45. 

The  church  edifice  at  the  Mouth  of  the  Juniata, 
having  become  very  much  out  of  repair,  and  the 
location  being  one  difficult  of  access,  it  was  deter- 
mined by  the  congregation  to  erect  a  new  house  of 
worship,  which  they  did,  in  the  village  of  Petersburg, 
one  mile  distant  from  the  old  church.  The  building 
was  completed  in  1841.  Its  dimensions  are  forty  by 
fifty  feet. 

In  1845,  John  Mincer  and  Thomas  White  were 
elected  and  ordained  elders. 

The  Kev.  Charles  B.  Maclay,  who  was  licensed  by 
the  Carlisle  Presbytery,  April,  1846,  and  ordained 
June  2, 1847,  supplied  this  church  from  April,  1846, 
till  Nov.  1847,  when  he  was  installed  its  pastor. 
The  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  Oct.,  1848. 

Mr.  Hezekiah  Hanson,  who  was  licensed  by  the 
Carlisle  Presbytery,  Oct.  4th,  1848,  commenced  to 
supply  this  church,  Dec.  26,  1848,  received  a  call, 
and  was  ordained  August  22d,  1849. 

The  church  edifice  in  Petersburg  was  repaired  in 
1850-51. 

The  old  church  at  the  Mouth  of  the  Juniata,  is  used 
occasionally  during  the  summer ;  its  dimensions  are 
about  25  by  30. 

The  present  elders  of  this  church  are,  Isaac  Kirk- 
patrick,  Thomas  White,  William  Irwin,  and  Jacob 
Steel. 

The   Presbyterians   of  Millers  town   and   v-icinity 


316  SUrrLEMENT. 

erected  a  small  liouse,  in  wliicli  tliey  worsliipped 
until  after  their  present  house  was  erected.  The 
land  upon  which  the  first  house  was  built,  was  con- 
veyed, on  the  4th  of  May,  1808,  to  Thomas  Cochran, 
William  North,  and  Amos  Jordan,  and  their  suc- 
cessors in  office  for  ever,  as  trustees  of  the  Millers- 
town  Presbyterian  Congregation. 

According  to  the  most  reliable  information  we  can 
obtain,  there  was  no  regular  church  organization, 
until  the  Rev.  N.  R.  Snowden,  in  1818,  organized 
the  present  congregation.  Mr.  Snowden,  shortly 
after,  was  installed  pastor  over  the  united  congrega- 
tions of  Millerstown,  Liverpool,  and  Buffalo.  The 
elders  wdio  were  then  elected  and  ordained,  were  Wil- 
liam North,  John  Black,  and  Joseph  Castles.  About 
two  years  after,  owing  to  some  dissatisfaction,  the 
pastoral  relation  between  Mr.  Snowden  and  the  con- 
gregation was  dissolved.  The  congregation  w^as  sup- 
plied with  the  word  and  ordinances,  from  this  period, 
by  Messrs.  Hill,  Grey,  Lochrain,  and  other  appoint- 
ments from  the  Huntingdon  Presbytery,  till  Novem- 
ber, 1829,  when  Mr.  B.  E.  Collins,  a  licentiate  of  the 
Philadelphia  Presbytery,  was  engaged  to  preach  as 
a  supply,  wdiich  he  did  until  he  was  installed  pastor, 
November  29,  1832.  In  June,  1830,  Thomas  Coch- 
ran and  Isaac  M'Cord,  were  elected  and  ordained 
elders  of  this  congregation.  In  consequence  of  the 
smallness  of  the  house,  the  congregation  determined 
to  erect  a  new  house  of  worship,  in  a  more  central 
part  of  the  town.     The  building,  45  by  50  feet,  was 


xMILLERSTOWN    CHURCH.  317 

finished  and  opened  for  worship,  in  1832.  Mr.  Col- 
lins continued  as  pastor  of  this  church  until  April, 
1839,  when  the  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved.  The 
congregation  was  supplied  from  this  time  by  Messrs. 
Williamson  and  McDonald,  till  Rev.  George  D. 
Porter,  who  was  elected  pastor,  entered  upon  his 
duties,  November  17,  1844.  This  church,  being 
under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Huntingdon,  was 
transferred  to  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle, 
by  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  at  their  meeting  held 
in  Philadelphia,  October,  1845.  Mr.  Porter  was  in- 
stalled pastor  of  this  church,  September  12,  1846, 
and  continued  as  such  until  June  10,  1851,  when  the 
relation  was  dissolved  at  an  adjourned  meeting  of 
the  Carlisle  Presbytery,  held  in  Greencastle,  June 
10th,  1851. 

Rev.  H.  Hanson,  who  was  labouring  at  Peters- 
burg, Perry  Co.,  being  invited  by  this  congregation, 
entered  upon  his  ministerial  duties,  June  29,  1851. 

The  present  members  of  Session  are,  H.  Hanson, 
Mod.  ;  Elders,  Samuel  Black,  William  Kip,  W.  J. 
Jones,  George  Rothrock,  Jacob  Kip,  and  John 
Shammo. 


LANDISBURG,    BLOOMFIELD,    AND    BUFFALO. 

The  churches  of  Landisburg,  Buffalo,  and  Bloom- 
field,  were  organized  about  the  year  1823.     "  For- 

27- 


318  SUPPLEMENT. 

mcrly,"  says  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dickey,  "the  Presbyte- 
rians within  the  bounds  of  the  two  former  congrega- 
tions, w^ere  a  part  of  the  Centre  Church,  then  under 
the  care  of  the  Rev.  John  Linn.  At  what  time 
houses  of  worship  were  built  and  a  church  organized, 
I  am  unable  to  say,  as  I  have  not  access,  at  present, 
to  the  sessional  records  of  either  church.  It  was 
probably  soon  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Linn.  For  a 
few  years,  the  churches  of  Landisburg  and  Buffalo 
were  united  with  the  Centre  and  Upper  Churches, 
and  were  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  James 
M.  Omstead.  Afterwards,  Mr.  Omstead  having  re- 
signed his  pastoral  charge,  a  new  connexion  was 
formed  with  the  Church  in  Bloomfield,  and  the  present 
pastor  was  called  and  installed  in  1834.  The  original 
elders  in  the  Landisburg  Church  were,  Samuel  Linn, 
Francis  Kelly,  John  Devon,  and  James  M'Clure. 
Those  in  the  Buffalo  Church,  were,  Charles  Elliot, 
Robert  Elliot,  Andrew  Linn,  George  Baker,  Robert 
L'vine,  and  John  Sanderson.  Both  churches  possess 
neat  and  comfortable  houses  of  worship  ;  the  buildings 
are  of  frame,  and  tastefully  furnished.  The  present 
Buffalo  Church  is  a  new  building,  with  a  belfry  and 
bell,  and  is  located  in  the  vicinity  of  Ickesburg.  The 
present  elders  in  Buffalo  Church,  are,  Robert  Elliot, 
George  Baker,  and  John  M'Kee.  Li  Landisburg, 
James  M'Clure,  Parkinson  Hench,  Henry  Fetter,  and 
John  Linn. 

The  Bloomfield  Church  was  originally  formed  out 
of  the  Ridge  Church,  about  four  miles  distant,  which 


LANDISBURG,     BLOOMFIELD,    BUFFALO.      319 

has  now  become  extinct.  The  church  was  built  in 
1834,  and  is  a  substantial  brick  building,  with  a  base- 
ment story  for  a  Sunday-school  and  Lecture-room. 
The  original  ciders  were  "Wm.  M.  M'Clure,  Jeremiah 
Madden,  James  M' Chord.  The  ciders  at  present, 
are,  John  Campbell,  and  Finlow  M' Cowan. 


Note. — It  was  our  intention  to  give  a  running 
sketch  of  the  churches  of  Thom's  Creek  and  Piney, 
Williamsport  and  Hancock,  and  Great  Conewago. 
As,  however,  our  volume  has  already  far  exceeded, 
in  the  number  of  its  pages,  what  was  originally  de- 
signed, and,  especially,  as  up  to  a  point  which  admits 
of  no  delay,  we  have  failed  to  receive  the  data  which 
are  necessary  to  make  such  a  sketch  at  all  satisfac- 
tory, we  are  reluctantly  obliged  to  abandon  this 
purpose. 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX  I. 


CALL  FROM  THE  BIG  SPRING  CONGREGATION  TO  THE  REV. 
SAMUEL  WILSON. 

Big  Spring,  Cumberland  County, 

21st  March,  178G. 

We,  the  subscribers  of  this  paper,  and  members  of  the 
Congregation  of  Big  Spring,  do  hereby  bind  and  oblige 
ourselves  annually  to  pay  Mr.  Samuel  Wilson,  Preacher  of 
the  Gospel,  on  his  being  ordained  to  be  our  minister,  and 
for  his  discharge  of  the  duties  of  said  office,  the  sum  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  Pounds,  Pennsylvania  Currency,  in  specie, 
and  allow  him  the  use  of  the  dwelling-house,  barn,  and  all 
the  clear  land  on  the  glebe,  possessed  by  our  former  minis- 
ter, also  plenty  of  timber  for  rails  and  fire-wood,  likewise 
a  sufficient  security  for  the  payment  of  the  above-men- 
tioned sums  during  his  incumbency.  As  witness  our 
hands : — 

Alexander  Laughlin,  Alexander  Thompson, 

John  Davidson,  Rannel  Blair, 

Kobert  Shannon,  Samuel  Finley, 

David  Williamson,  Samuel  Cunningham, 

Thomas  Buchanan,  John  Eawing, 


324 


APPENDIX. 


Robert  Bovarcl, 
Solomon  Lightcap, 
Joseph  Pollock, 
James  Jack, 
William  Dening, 
Andrew  Bell, 
John  Allison, 
John  Bell, 
Robert  Patterson, 
David  Ralston, 
John  M'Geehen, 
Hugh  Laughlin, 
John  Bell, 
Jeremiah  M'Kibbin, 
James  Graham. 
Joseph  Partes, 
Charles  Leeper, 
George  M'Geehen, 
Hugh  Patton, 
Margaret  M'Kain, 
William  Giffin, 
William  Hodge, 
Alexander  M'Geehen, 
William  M'Cracken, 
Robert  Bell, 
William  MTarland, 
Samuel  M'Cormick, 
William  Laughlin, 
Thomas  Jacobs, 
Andrew  Walker, 
John  M'Clintock, 
Andrew  Thompson, 


James  Laughlin, 
Atchison  Laughlin, 
Robert  Hutchison, 
John  Mitchell, 
Samuel  Mathers, 
Jermon  Jacobs, 
John  Reed, 
John  Hodge,  Senr., 
William  Dinison, 
James  Irvine, 
John  Brown, 
John  O'Neal, 
William  Douglass, 
Alexander  Officer, 
James  Officer, 
Thomas  Espey, 
James  Gillespie, 
Samuel  Hathorn, 
James  Johnston, 
Alexand.  Lechey, 
Catherine  Brown, 
Margaret  M'Clure, 
James  Armstrong, 
James  Stewart, 
Robert  Lusk, 
Andrew  M'Elwain, 
Mary  M'Elwain, 
James  M'Elwain, 
Thomas  Alison, 
John  Wallace, 
Joseph  M'Donnel, 
Robert  Gillespie, 


APPENDIX. 


325 


Nathanael  Gillespie, 
Samuel  Mitchell, 
John  Mitchell, 
Alexander  Elliott, 
John  Muuro, 
John  Reed, 
Samuel  Fenton, 
Andrew  Deniston, 
John  M'Farland, 
John  Purdy, 
James  Brandon, 
James  Shannon, 
Hugh  Smith, 
John  Shannon, 
Thomas  31athers, 
John  Patton, 
John  Porterficld, 
Jared  Graham, 
Margaret  M'Farland, 
Williani  Brisbane, 
James  M'Farland, 
Richard  Woods, 
William  Nicholson, 
William  Stevenson, 
David  Ramsey, 
Paul  Martin, 
Robert  M'Comb,  Jun., 
Andrew  Bell, 
William  Thompson, 
David  Sterret, 
Adam  Carnahan, 
James  M'Guffin, 


L.  Work, 
James  Carson, 
William  Thompson,  Jr., 
John  Murain, 
Daniel  Boyle, 
William  Ilimtcr, 
Robert  Patterson, 
Widow  Preaugb, 
James  Huston, 
Robert  Mickey,  Sen., 
Robert  Mickey,  Jun., 
James  Mickey, 
Elizabeth  Kilgore, 
William  Kilgore, 
Samuel  Weaver, 
George  Weaver, 
John  M'Cune, 
John  M'Farland, 
James  Johnston, 
Samuel  Lindsey, 
Matthew  Wilson, 
Samuel  Wilson, 
William  Lindsey, 
John  Whitin,  Jun., 
Elizabeth  M'Cullough, 
Thomas  Grier, 
Ann  Brouster, 
John  Lusk, 
David  Lusk, 
Alexander  M^Bride, 
William  Milligan, 
Agnes  Irwine, 


28 


326 


APPENDIX. 


James  Aumer, 
William  Wilson, 
James  Wilson, 
Francis  Donald, 
George  Little, 
James  M^Cune, 
John  Brown, 
William  Hunter, 
Adam  Bratton, 
William  Walker, 
Joseph  Walker, 
Robert  Walker, 
John  Carson, 
Isabella  M^Cune, 
Patrick  M'Farland, 
Abigail  Flinn, 
John  Coply, 
Patrick  Murdock 
Thomas  Appleby, 
John  Brown, 
William  Adams, 
William  Ferguson, 
John  Graham, 
Berry  Kilbourne, 
James  Mitchell, 
Thomas  Moore, 
Caleb  Ardle, 
William  Smith, 
James  Laughray, 


David  Graham, 
William  Patton,  Jun., 
Joseph  Pierce, 
Joseph  Hays, 
Matthew  Davidson, 
George  M'Geehen, 
James  M'Geehen, 
Benjamin  M'Geehen, 
Jacob  Atchison, 
Joseph  Van  Horn, 
John  Robinson, 
John  M'Cune, 
Richard  Nicholson, 
James  Nicholson, 
Samuel  M'Elhenny,  Jr. 
Samuel  M'Elhenny,  Sr. 
John  Gourril, 
Samuel  Morrow, 
John  Bell, 
William  Oarnahan, 
William  Bryson, 
Hugh  Allen, 
John  Sumar, 
John  Clark, 
William  Clark , 
James  Hamilton. 
Hannah  Bovard. 
Number  of  Pew-Holders, 
204. 


327 


APPENDIX  11. 


CALL  FROM  THE  CONGREGATIONS  OF  CARLISLE  AND  LOWER 
PENNSBOROUGH  TO  THE  REV.  JOHN  STEEL. 

^^  Whereas  at  the  union  of  the  congregations  of  Carlisle 
and  Lower  Pennsborongh  in  April,  1764,  it  was  agreed  that 
each  congregation  should  pay  seventy-five  pounds  to  Mr. 
John  Steel,  our  minister,  as  stipends,  yearly  and  every  year 
from  time  of  said  union,  and  said  agreement  was  signed  by 
six  men  of  each  con^reiration  in  the  name  and  behalf  of 
said  congregations, 

"  Now  in  order  to  give  ease  and  relief  to  said  six  men 
who  signed  in  behalf  of  the  congregation  of  Lower  Penns- 
borongh, and  at  the  same  time  to  secure  to  our  said  minis- 
ter his  yearly  stipends,  said  congregation  have  this  day 
concluded  that  forty-two  men  shall  give  their  promissory 
note  to  said  John  Steel  for  his  yearly  stipends,  and  that 
said  forty-two  men  shall  be  a  fix'd  committee  of  said  con- 
gregation, and  have  power  to  regulate  seats  and  order  all 
the  other  affairs  of  said  congregation. 

"Therefore,  inconsequence  of  said  agreement,  and  to  an- 
swer the  above  said  ends,  we  the  subscribers,  with  the  con- 
sent and  by  the  appointment  of  said  congregation,  do  offer 
ourselves  and  accordingly  become  jointly  bound  to  Mr. 
John  Steel,  our  present  minister,  to  pay  him,  yearly  and 
every  year,  the  sum  of  seventy-five  pounds,  good  and  lawful 


328 


APPENDIX. 


money  of  Pennsylvania,  at  or  upon  the  first  day  of  April,  in 
every  year  loUowing  the  date  hereof,  including  the  stipends 
of  seventy-five  pounds  due  to  our  said  minister  for  the  year 
past,  April,  17G8,  and  what  arrears  may  be  due  to  our  said 
minister  for  the  years  1765  and  1766, — all  which  we  bind 
ourselves  to  pay  or  cause  to  be  paid  unto  said  John  Steel, 
according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  the  agreement 
made  at  the  union  of  said  congregations,  as  witness  our 
hands  this  twentieth  and  seventh  day  of  June,  1768. 


Moses  Star, 
James  Crawford, 
Joseph  M'Clure, 

Abernethy, 

Andrew  Armstrong, 
John  Caruthers, 
John  M'Teer, 
James  M' Curdy, 
William  MTormick, 
John  Car  others, 
James  Nailer, 
James  Oliver, 
Samuel  Fisher, 
John  Dickey,  Sen., 
Thomas  Donaldson, 
William  M'Teer, 
Thomas  M'Cormick, 
David  Hoge, 
William  Orr, 
John  Nailer, 
John  Trindle, 


William  Gray, 
Christopher  Quigly, 
Edward  Morton, 
Samuel  Geddis, 
Andrew  Ervin, 
James  Caruthers, 
Jonathan  Hoge, 
Samuel  Huston, 
John  Semple, 
John  M'Cormick, 
William  Trindle, 
Alexander  Trindle, 
Hugh  Laird, 
Thomas  Stewart, 
James  M'Teer, 
Patrick  Holmes, 
David  Bell, 
Nathanael  Nelson, 
William  Geddis, 
Matthew  Loudon. 


329 


APPENDIX  III. 


SOME   ACCOUNT    OF   THE    SCHISM    IN    THE    PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH    OF   THIS    COUNTRY,    A    CENTURY   AGO. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  last  century  there  was  a  sad 
declension  of  religion  in  this  country,  as  there  was  also 
in  Great  Britain.  Of  this  there  is  evidence  from  vari- 
ous sources.  According  to  the  testimony  of  the  Piev. 
Samuel  Blair,  "  a  very  lamentable  ignorance  of  the  es- 
sentials of  true  practical  religion,  and  of  the  doctrines  re- 
lating thereto,  very  generally  prevailed,  in  Pennsylvania.'' 
There  was,  also,  necessity,  in  1735,  for  a  solemn  injunc- 
tion from  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  to  the  Presbyteries 
under  its  jurisdiction,  carefully  to  guard  the  doors  of  ad- 
mission to  the  ministerial  office  and  to  church  member- 
ship, against  unworthy  and  unfit  candidates. 

Such  was  the  state  of  religion,  likewise,  in  the  Congre- 
gational Churches  of  New  England.  ''There  is,"  said  Dr. 
Increase  Mather,  in  1721, ''  a  grievous  decay  of  piety  in  the 
land,  and  a  leaving  of  her  first  love,  and  the  beauties  of 
holiness  are  not  to  be  seen  as  once  they  were." 

About  the  year  1732,  the  work  of  God  was  signally 
revived.  This  was  the  case  simultaneously  in  America, 
England,  and  Scotland.  The  first  of  the  gracious  visita- 
tions with  which  this  country  was  blessed,  occurred  at 
Freehold,  New  Jersey,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev. 
28* 


330  APr-ENDix. 

John  Tennent.  Soon  there  was  a  similar  manifestation  of 
the  Spirit's  presence  and  power,  in  Lawrence,  Hopewell, 
and  Amwell,  three  contiguous  towns  in  New  Jersey,  under 
the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  John  Rowland ;  in  Newark  and 
Elizabethtown  ;  in  Philadelphia,  under  the  ministry  of  Mr. 
Whitefield ;  in  New  Londonderry  (Fagg's  Manor),  in  Penn- 
sylvania, under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Blair;  and 
in  New  Providence,  Nottingham,  White  Clay  Creek,  Nesha- 
miny,  and  other  places  of  this  region,  as  well  as  through- 
out New  England. 

That  this  revival  was  a  genuine  one,  is  evident,  from  the 
testimony  in  its  favour  of  such  men  as  Edwards,  Cooper,  Col- 
man,  and  Bellamy,  in  New  England,  and  the  Tennents,  Blair;, 
Dickinson,  and  Davies,  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  This 
is  evident,  also,  from  the  experience  of  its  subjects  which 
was  in  general  answerable  to  the  truth,  and  froin  its  results, 
as  exhibited  in  the  external  fruits  of  holiness  in  the  lives 
of  the  large  majority  of  those,  to  whom  its  special  influence 
extended.  It  cannot  be  denied,  indeed,  that  in  some  de- 
gree, and  in  some  localities,  fanaticism  prevailed,  and  that 
there  was  an  unwarrantable  dependence  placed  upon  bodily 
agitations,  as  evidential  of  conversion,  and  that  there  was 
a  harshness  and  censoriousness,  utterly  incompatible 
with  the  spirit  of  the  occasion,  manifested  by  ultraists, 
toward  all  who  would  not  follow  them  to  their  dangerous 
extremes.  Equally  undeniable  is  it,  however,  that  the 
genuineness  of  the  great  and  extensive  awakening  now  re- 
ferred to,  is  not  to  be  questioned,  because  of  some  of  the 
evils  and  irregularities  with  which  it  was  attended  and  fol- 
lowed, for  from  these,  perfect  exemption  cannot  be  ex- 
pected for  any  movement,  in  a  world  such  as  this,  where 
wheat  is  being  sown  as  well  as  tares,  and  where  every  light 


APPENDIX.  331 

produces  its  shadows.  Of  these  errors,  there  may  be  spe- 
cified in  addition  to  those  already  noticed,  ''  a  strong 
leaven  of  enthusiasm,  manifesting  itself  in  the  regard  paid 
to  impulses,  inspirations,  visions,  and  the  pretended  power 
of  discerning  spirits, — and  the  disregard  shown  to  the 
common  rules  of  ecclesiastical  order,  by  itinerant  preachers 
and  lay  exhorters,  who  went  into  the  parishes  of  settled 
ministers,  and  without  their  knowledge,  or  against  their 
wishes,  insisted  on  preaching  to  the  people." 

In  relation  to  this  revival,  there  was,  as  was  to  be  ex- 
pected from  what  has  been  already  stated,  a  wide  difife- 
rence  of  opinion  among  the  ministers  of  Synod.  Some  re- 
garded it  as  the  work  of  God,  and  were  active  in  furthering 
it,  but  others,  and  the  more  numerous  party,  withheld  from 
it  all  co-operation,  and  pronounced  it  a  mere  fermentation  of 
unsanctified  feeling,  which  could  not  issue  in  any  good 
results  cither  God-ward  or  man-ward.  As  was  natural 
amongst  persons  occupying  such  opposite  stand-points,  irri- 
tation arose,  both  among  the  ministry  and  laity.  Those 
favourable  to  the  work  in  progress,  viewed  all  who  were 
adverse,  to  it,  as  fighting  against  God,  and  as  having  the 
root  of  their  hostility  in  unrenewed  hearts;  and  those  op- 
posed to  this  work,  condemned  the  terrific  style  of  preach- 
ing employed  in  its  promotion,  and  accused  the  more  pro- 
minent actors  in  the  movement,  of  exhibiting  a  spirit  of 
malignant  denunciation  and  misrepresentation,  and  of 
helping  to  obscure  the  true  idea  of  religion,  by  encouraging 
the  belief,  that  it  exists  rather  in  violent  excitement  and 
rapture  than  in  principle  carried  into  obedience. 

There  was,  however,  another  ground  of  dissension  among 
the  ministers  of  the  Synod,  beside  that  just  noticed.  The 
Rev.  William  Tennent  established  a  classical  school  at 


332  APPENDIX. 

Neshaminy,  iu  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania,  about  twenty 
miles  north  of  Philadelphia.  The  object  of  this  institution, 
(which  afterwards  became  the  celebrated  Log  College), 
was,  to  furnish  candidates  for  the  ministry  an  opportunity 
for  securing  the  requisite  literary  qualifications  for  this 
office,  without  the  inconvenience  and  expense  of  becoming 
students  of  a  college  in  New  England  or  Europe.  Back  of 
this,  however,  there  was  another  desideratum  aimed  at,  which 
was  this, — that  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  this  country, 
might  be  able  to  rely  upon  a  ministry  educated  at  home, 
rather  than  be  under  the  necessity  of  receiving  ministers 
from  foreign  lands,  who,  at  that  time,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
chances  of  imposition  which  existed,  were  not,  generally, 
even  when  able  to  show  their  credentials,  such  men  as  the 
Church  could  with  much  hope  of  benefit,  welcome  to  her 
communion.  The  competency  of  Mr.  Tennent  to  conduct 
such  a  school,  so  as  to  accomplish  the  first  of  these  objects, 
at  least,  was  demonstrated  by  the  very  satisfactory  exami- 
nation which  his  son  Gilbert,  one  of  his  students,  sustained 
before  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia.  Notwithstanding 
this  proof,  however,  the  Synod  resolved,  1738,  thatin  order 
to  prevent  the  admission  of  uneducated  men  into  the  mi- 
nistry, every  candidate  for  the  sacred  office,  before  he  was 
taken  on  trial,  should  be  furnished  with  a  diploma  of  gra- 
duation from  some  European  or  New  England  college,  or 
with  a  certificate  of  competent  scholarship  from  a  committee 
of  Synod.  The  same  year,  the  Presbytery  of  New  Bruns- 
wick was  formed.  At  the  next  meeting  of  Synod,  a  re- 
monstrance was  presented  by  this  Presbytery  against  this 
resolution,  and  it  was  modified  so  as  to  express  the  deter- 
mination of  Synod,  ^^  that  every  person  who  proposes  him- 
self to  trial,  as  a  candidate  for  the  ministr}^  and  who  has 


APPENDIX.  333 

not  a  diploma,  or  the  usual  certificate  from  a  European  or 
New  England  University,  shall  be  examined  by  the  whole 
Synod,  or  its  commission,  as  to  those  preparatory  studies 
which  we  generally  pass  through  at  college,  and  if  they 
find  him  qualified,  they  shall  give  him  a  certificate,  which 
shall  be  received  by  our  respective  Presbyteries,  as  equiva- 
lent to  a  diploma  or  certificate  from  the  college,  &c." 
But  as  thus  modified,  the  resolution  was  no  more  accepta- 
ble than  in  its  original  form,  to  those  who  from  the  begin- 
ning had  resisted  it,  and  therefore  a  protest  was  entered 
against  it,  signed  by  William  Tennent,  Senr.,  Gilbert  Ten- 
nent,  William  Tennent,  Jr.,  Charles  Tennent,  Samuel  Blair, 
and  Eleazer  Wales.  We  pretend  not  to  state  all  the  reasons, 
which  influenced  these  ministers  in  their  opposition  to  the 
action  of  Synod  in  this  matter,  but  it  is  plain  that  they  re- 
garded it  as  inconsistent  with  the  rights  of  Presbyteries,  as 
calculated,  if  not  intended,  to  disparage  or  destroy  the  Log 
College,  and  as  tending  to  frustrate  their  design,  in  having 
a  Presbytery  set  off  in  New  Jersey  chiefly  composed  of  the 
friends  of  this  Institution,  which  was,  to  license  such  men 
as  they  should  deem  properly  qualified,  and  to  make  fervent 
piety  the  first  and  principal  qualification  for  the  ministry. 
The  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick  having,  in  1738,  in 
contravention  of  the  authority  of  Synod  as  expressed  in  its 
late  act,  licensed  Mr.  John  Ptowland  to  preach  the  Gospel, 
when  the  records  of  this  Presbytery  came  to  be  reviewed 
by  the  Synod,  that  body  declared,  by  ^'a  great  majority,^' 
the  licensing  of  Mr.  Rowland  ^'  to  be  very  disorderl}^,  and 
admonished  the  said  Presbytery  to  avoid  such  divisive 
courses  for  the  future,  and  determined  not  to  admit  the  said 
Mr.  Rowland  to  be  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel  within  our 
bounds,  nor  to  encourage  any  of  our  people  to  accept  him 


334  APPENDIX. 

until  lie  submit  to  such  examinations  as  were  appointed  by 
this  Synod  for  those  that  have  had  a  private  education/' 
In  anticipation  of  this  result,  the  Presbytery  came  prepared 
with  an  "  Apology  for  dissenting  from  two  acts  or  new  reli- 
gious laws  passed  at  the  last  session  of  the  Synod. '^  After- 
wards;  in  the  same  year,  the  New  Brunswick  Presbytery 
continued  to  disobey  the  Synod,  and  licensed  Mr.  M'Crea, 
and  in  1740,  they  licensed  Mr.  William  Kobinson,  and  Mr. 
Samuel  Finley,  having  no  respect,  in  either  case,  to  the 
requisition  of  Synod. 

The  effect  of  this  controversy  throughout  the  presbyte- 
ries and  congregations  of  the  Church  was,  of  course,  disas- 
trous, and  hence,  in  1740,  an  effort  was  made  to  compro- 
mise the  difficulty,  by  repealing  the  first  act  of  Synod  in 
relation  to  itinerant  preaching,  and  by  so  modifying  the 
second  act  in  relation  to  the  examination  of  candidates,  as 
to  meet  the  views  of  the  New  Brunswick  brethren.  It  was 
also  proposed  by  Mr.  Dickinson,  that  the  matter  in  dispute 
should  be  referred  to  some  ecclesiastical  body  in  Scotland, 
Ireland,  or  England,  or  to  the  ministers  of  Boston.  After 
this,  a  member  of  the  New  Brunswick  Presbytery  proposed, 
^'  that  the  Synod  might  appoint  two  of  their  number  to  be 
present  at  the  examination  of  candidates  for  the  ministry, 
who,  if  they  found  them  (the  presbyteries),  guilty  of  mal- 
eonduct,  might  accuse  them  to  Synod ;  but  when  it  was 
ascertained  that  an  objection  of  these  delegates  to  the  com- 
petency of  a  candidate  would  refer  the  question  of  his 
licensure  to  the  Synod,  the  Brunswick  brethren  declined. 

The  failure  of  these  efforts  at  accommodation,  increased 
the  unhappy  state  of  feeling  which  had  been  growing  in 
the  Synod  and  Church,  and  at  this  point  this  feeling  was 
greatly  aggravated  by  the  reading  of  formal  papers  of  com- 


APPENDIX.  335 

plaint,  by  Mr.  Gilbert  Tenncntand  Mr.  Blair,  against  their 
brethren,  before  Synod.  The  same  efiect,  in  a  high  degree, 
was  produced,  by  Mr.  Tennent's  famous  Nottingham  Sermon 
(called  so  because  it  was  preached  at  that  place),  in  which 
he  describes  the  body  of  tLe  ministers  of  that  generation 
as  letter-learned  Pharisees,  plastered  hypocrites,  having 
the  form  of  godliness,  but  destitute  of  its  power.  The  di- 
vision which  thus  already  virtually  existed,  was  consum- 
mated at  the  meeting  of  Synod,  June  1st,  1741,  when  a 
protestation,  read  by  the  llev.  llobert  Cross,  and  signed 
by  twelve  ministers,  and  seven  elders,  was  adopted,  to  the 
effect,  that  "the  former  protesting  brethren,  whether  they 
were  the  major  or  minor  number,  had  no  right  to  sit,  or  to 
be  looked  upon  as  the  Synod."  The  day  after  this  rup- 
ture, the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick  held  a  ^9;*o  re  nata 
meeting  in  Philadelphia,  with  four  members,  and  seven 
correspondents,  and  resolved  that  in  view  of  what  had 
taken  place,  it  was  the  bounden  duty  of  the  exscinded  bre- 
thren, to  form  themselves  into  distinct  presbyteries  for  carry- 
ing on  the  government  of  Christ's  Church.  This  revolu- 
tion led  to  the  attaching  Mr.  William  Tennent,  Sen.,  and 
Richard  Treat,  to  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  and 
the  erection  of  a  new  Presbytery  to  be  called  Londonderry, 
both  of  which  Presbyteries  were  to  meet  in  the  ensuing 
August,  at  Philadelphia,  in  the  capacity  of  a  Synod. 

After  several  unsuccessful  eiForts  for  reconciliation,  at  a 
meeting  of  Synod,  in  1743,  an  overture  was  presented  from 
the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  proposing  that  for  certain 
reasons,  and  on  certain  terms,  a  reunion  should  take  place 
between  the  Synod  and  the  ejected  members,  and  all  past 
differences  be  buried  in  oblivion,  but  this  proposal  was  una- 
nimously  rejected.     In    1744,  no    member  of  the  New 


336  APPENDIX. 

York  Presbytery  appeared  in  Synod,  and  no  new  effort  was 
made  to  heal  the  schism.  In  1745,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  draw  up  a  plan  of  union.  To  this  plan  the  New 
York  brethren  immediately  refused  to  accede.  The  conse- 
quence was  the  erection  of  another  Synod,  under  the  name 
of  the  Synod  of  New  York,  which  met  as  a  separate  and 
independent  body,  at  Elizabethtown,  September,  19,  1745. 
In  May,  1758,  a  union  was  effected  between  this  Synod 
and  that  of  Philadelphia,  on  a  plan  devised  by  committees 
appointed  by  these  respective  bodies  for  this  purpose,  and 
unanimously  agreed  to  by  them. 

Thus,  after  seventeen  years'  duration,  ended  this  unhappy 
schism  in  the  Presbyterian  Church, — a  schism  which  made 
its  influence  to  be  felt  throughout  the  presbyteries  and 
congregations,  and  which,  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add, 
was  not  produced  by  any  diversity  of  opinion  as  to  doctrine 
or  discipline,  or  the  form  of  church  government,  but  by 
loss  of  confidence  and  alienation  of  feeling,  arising  from  the 
different  views  entertained  of  the  revival  which  then  pre- 
vailed, and  of  the  place  for  receiving,  and  the  tribunal  for 
testing,  literary  qualifications  of  candidates  for  the  minis- 
try. We  regret  that  our  statement  of  the  subject  must  be 
so  compendious  as  to  be  unsatisfactory,  but  those  who  wish 
to  examine  it  thoroughly,  can  do  so  by  reference  to  Dr. 
Alexander's  ^^Log  ^College,"  and  Dr.  Hodge's  ''History  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,"  from  which  the  facts  we  have 
presented,  have  been  gleaned. 


337 


APPENDIX  IV. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    FRANKLIN    COUNTY    BIBLE    SOCIETY. 

The  Franklin  County  Bible  Society  was  organized  at 
Chambersburg,  December  12th,  1814,  some  time  before 
the  formation  of  the  American  Bible  Society. 

The  first  officers  of  this  Institution  were : — The  Rev. 
John  McKuight,  D.D.,  President;  the  Rev.  James  Hoff- 
man, and  James  Riddle,  Esq.,  Vice-Presidents ;  the  Rev. 
John  Liud,  Secretary ;  the  Rev.  David  Elliott,  Clerk ; 
John  Findlay,  Esq.,  Treasurer;  and  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
David  Denny,  John  F.  Moeller,  John  Moodey,  Robert 
Kennedy,  Mr.  James  McFarland,  Mr.  John  Colhoun, 
Edward  Crawford,  William  M.  Brown,  and  George  Cham- 
bers, Esq'rs,  other  Managers. 

In  pursuance  of  appointment,  the  Rev.  John  Lind  de- 
livered a  discourse  before  the  Society,  at  Chambersburg, 
February  17th,  1815;  and  the  Rev.  David  Elliott,  by  like 
appointment,  rendered  the  same  service,  at  the  same  place, 
November  14th,  1815. 

In  April,  1816,  public  attention  was  invited  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  propriety  of  uniting  the  friends  of  the 
Bible  cause,  and  a  meeting  was  desired  at  New  York  for 
29 


338  APPENDIX. 

the  purpose.  This  measure  was  approved  of  by  the 
Franklin  County  Bible  Society,  and  on  the  lltli  of  April, 
1816,  Matthew  St.  Clair  Clarke,  Esq.,  one  of  its  members, 
was  appointed  a  delegate  to  represent  this  Society  at  New 
York.  Mr.  Clarke  fulfilled  his  appointment,  and  assisted 
in  organizing  the  American  Bible  Society,  in  May,  1816. 

The  Franklin  County  Bible  Society  was  for  many  years 
very  active  and  efficient  in  ascertaining  and  supplying  those 
destitute  of  the  Bible,  within  the  limits  of  Franklin 
County,  and  still  is  faithful  to  the  purpose  of  its  existence. 

Of  its  officers  at  its  organization,  but  three  survive,  viz., 
Kev.  John  Moodey,  D.D.,  Rev.  David  Elliott,  D.D,,  and 
Judge  Chambers. 


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